JP2010263261A - Network configuration device, information communication network, and automatic network construction method used for same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network configuration device wherein the optimum network can be automatically configured even when a switch configuration, a relay line, or the like changes. <P>SOLUTION: A network configuration device (1) has a configuration requirement acquisition means (network configuration requirement acquisition section 11) for acquiring configuration requirements of an information communication network from the outside through a man-machine interface when the information communication network is constructed, a configuration condition acquisition means (network configuration condition acquisition section 12) for automatically acquiring other configuration conditions except the configuration requirements from at least a positional relationship among the network configuration devices in accordance with the acquisition of the configuration requirements, and an automatic configuration means (network automatic configuration section 13) for autonomously configuring the information communication network on the basis of the acquired condition group after the acquisition of the configuration requirements and the configuration conditions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a network component device, an information communication network, and a network automatic construction method used therefor, and more particularly to a network design and construction method.

  The network design and construction work related to the present invention is carried out by engineers who have a certain level of knowledge in network technology, listening to various user requirements, repeating desktop design and confirmation with the user, and operating conditions that vary from vendor to vendor. A considerable amount of time and labor are required, such as an operation test that takes a period of setting and actual environment.

  Also, in the event of a failure, engineers who are also well-versed in network technology often require time to recover, such as collecting and analyzing failure information, examining countermeasures, and working on site.

  However, many of the network construction technologies are open, and the design philosophy can basically be made vendor-independent, regardless of which vendor's equipment is used. Basically, every user is similar.

  For example, when constructing a network composed of L2 (Layer 2) / L3 (Layer 3) switches, an engineer who has mastered network technology that requires expertise is usually used for network topology design, related server groups [ RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service), DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), DNS (Domain Name System Q, Server, etc.) Deployment design, VLAN (Virtual Aware World) To examine a wide range of items. After that, the above-mentioned engineer performs a series of laborious operations such as designing and creating operation condition information (config) specific to each device and checking the operation with an actual machine.

  The following Patent Document 1 discloses a method of automatically recognizing adjacent nodes and automatically constructing a network with adjacent nodes. The management control device described in Patent Document 1 includes an IT (Information Technology) device connection / disconnection automatic recognition function, an IT device interface automatic recognition function, and an IT device communication monitoring function, and patrols the communication function of the optical transceiver. By selecting and setting automatically, information on the IT device is acquired, the IT device is automatically recognized, and the network is automatically constructed.

JP 2005-318516 A

  As described above, the network cannot be constructed, operated, or maintained unless it is an engineer who masters not only the L2 / L3 switch but also a network technology that requires expertise.

  In this situation, regardless of the industry type or scale, the introduction of networks composed of various network devices has become common, and the time and effort required to introduce such networks has been smooth. In addition to hindering the user, it is likely that users will be more dependent on specific network equipment vendors (vendor behaviour), the degree of freedom of equipment selection will be limited, and vendors will be able to respond when a failure occurs. The problem is that the network is unusable until the process is completed.

  In the method described in Patent Document 1 described above, since the adjacent nodes are automatically recognized and the network is automatically constructed with the adjacent nodes, the entire network is automatically recognized and automatically constructed. I can't.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and even if the switch configuration, the relay line, etc. change, a network component device, an information communication network, and a network automatic unit used for them can automatically configure an optimum network. It is to provide a construction method.

A network component device according to the present invention includes a configuration requirement acquisition unit that acquires a configuration requirement of the information communication network from outside through a man-machine interface when an information communication network is constructed,
In accordance with the acquisition of the configuration requirements, a configuration condition acquisition means for automatically acquiring other configuration conditions other than the configuration requirements from at least the positional relationship between the network configuration devices;
Automatic configuration means for autonomously configuring the information communication network based on the acquired condition group and the acquired condition group after acquiring the configured condition.

  An information communication network according to the present invention includes the above-described network constituent devices.

The network automatic construction method according to the present invention includes:
Network component equipment
A configuration requirement acquisition step of acquiring a configuration requirement of the information communication network from outside through a man-machine interface when constructing an information communication network;
A configuration condition acquisition step for automatically acquiring other configuration conditions other than the configuration requirements in accordance with the acquisition of the configuration requirements from at least the positional relationship between the network configuration devices;
And an automatic configuration step of autonomously configuring the information communication network based on the acquired condition group and the acquired condition group after acquiring the configured condition.

  By adopting the configuration and operation as described above, the present invention can obtain an effect that an optimum network can be automatically configured even if the switch configuration, the trunk line, or the like changes.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the network component apparatus by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the network component apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the information communication network by embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of the accommodation terminal attribute automatic determination logic part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of the network automatic configuration logic part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of the server group automatic generation logic part shown in FIG. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the input data and production | generation data in embodiment of this invention.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network constituent device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a network configuration device 1 according to the present invention includes a network configuration requirement acquisition unit 11, a network configuration condition acquisition unit 12, and a network automatic configuration unit 13.

  The network configuration requirement acquisition unit 11 provides information in an intuitively understandable manner from a user who is not necessarily familiar with the network technology through a man-machine interface when constructing the information communication network in the device group constituting the information communication network of the present invention. Get communication network configuration requirements.

  The network configuration condition acquisition unit 12 automatically acquires other information communication network configuration conditions from the positional relationship between the network configuration devices, which is the subject of the present invention, in accordance with the acquisition of the information communication network configuration requirements.

  After acquiring the information communication network configuration requirements and the information communication network configuration conditions, the network automatic configuration unit 13 autonomously configures the information communication network based on the acquired condition group.

  Therefore, in the present invention, when designing and constructing a network, the conditions per se that the network engineer hears from the user can be designated as a network device in a form that the user can intuitively and easily express through the man-machine interface. Further, in the present invention, since the procedure designed by the network engineer on the desk is realized in the network device as described above, not only the design and construction of the network that requires time and effort are all unnecessary, It is also possible to eliminate mistakes (human error) caused by human intervention.

  In the present invention, even in an operational situation, the network automatic configuration unit 13 is more likely to avoid down of the entire network due to the occurrence of a partial failure of a device or a line, and contributes to improvement of network availability. it can.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a user who designates information communication network configuration requirements in an intuitively easy-to-understand manner for each network component device constituting the information communication network, even for users who are not necessarily familiar with information communication network technology. It has a function to automatically recognize the machine interface and the relative position of all network components, the connection conditions of the connected terminals and servers, and the like.

  Furthermore, the present invention autonomously constructs an appropriate network configuration based on the overall information, and has a function to automatically generate up to necessary server functions inside the network equipment, thereby providing specialized network technology. In addition to being able to construct a network without the presence of an engineer, the time and labor required for network construction and operation can be greatly reduced.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of network configuration equipment according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, a network component device 2 is a multilayer switch having functions of both a layer 2 switch and a layer 3 switch. Hereinafter, the network component device 2 is expressed as a switch 2.

  The switch 2 includes a front panel (front panel) 21 and an internal logic 22. The front panel 21 includes a port # 1 accommodating terminal belonging VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) designation function (hereinafter referred to as accommodating terminal belonging VLAN designation function) 211 and a port # 2 accommodating terminal belonging VLAN designation function (hereinafter referred to as accommodating terminal belonging). VLAN designation function) 212. The internal logic 22 includes an accommodation terminal attribute automatic determination logic unit 221, a network automatic configuration logic unit 222, and a server group automatic generation logic unit 223.

  The accommodation terminal affiliation VLAN designation functions 211 and 212 of the front panel 21 and the accommodation terminal attribute automatic determination logic unit 221 of the internal logic 22 correspond to the network configuration requirement acquisition unit 11 described above. The configuration logic unit 222 corresponds to the network configuration condition acquisition unit 12 and the network automatic configuration unit 13 described above.

  The accommodation terminal affiliation VLAN designation functions 211 and 212 set the ID (IDentifier) of the VLAN to which each belongs to in correspondence with names such as “General Affairs Department” and “Accounting Department” so that the user can easily understand. It is a man-machine interface that makes it possible.

  The accommodated terminal attribute automatic decision logic unit 221 is a functional block that recognizes the VLAN to which the terminal group or server group directly accommodated by each switch belongs by setting on the front panel 21 and assigns the corresponding port to each VLAN.

  The network automatic configuration logic unit 222 is a functional block that automatically recognizes the outline “line speed etc.” of the lines connecting the switches and the relative positional relationship of the connection destination switch group, and automatically constructs the network.

  The server group automatic generation logic unit 223 is a server such as RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) or DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) depending on the relative position of the switch on the automatically constructed network. It is a functional block that provides a function.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the information communication network according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3, the information communication network according to the embodiment of the present invention includes switches (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3, servers 3-1, 3-2, and terminals 4-1 to 4-. 4.

  Each of the switches (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3 has the configuration shown in FIG. 2 and includes ports # 1 and # 2, which are connected by inter-switch connection. This inter-switch connection indicates an inter-switch connection line.

  The servers 3-1 and 3-2 are servers directly accommodated in the switches (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3, and the terminals 4-1 to 4-4 are connected to the switches (# 1). ~ # 3) Terminals directly accommodated in 2-1 to 2-3. The servers 3-1 and 3-2 and the terminals 4-1 to 4-4 are connected to the switches (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3, and use commercially available personal computers and workstations. can do.

  In the present embodiment, each of the switches (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3 is a multilayer switch having functions of both a layer 2 switch and a layer 3 switch. The user appropriately connects these switches (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3 with a trunk line. After that, the user can correspond to the names of departments (VLANs) to which the terminals 4-1 to 4-4 and servers 3-1 and 3-2 accommodated in the respective switches (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3 belong. ) Is set from the front panel 21 of each switch (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3.

  The layer 2 switch and the layer 3 switch recognize the structure of the entire network and the relative position of the own switch through the trunk line, and automatically construct the network [Each switch IP (Internet Protocol) address assignment, VLAN address system construction, default gateway Assignment, automatic assignment of each switch of the server group such as DHCP, RADIUS, etc.] and also VLAN assignment of the terminals / server accommodation ports of the switches (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3. .

  4 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the accommodation terminal attribute automatic determination logic unit 221 shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the network automatic configuration logic unit 222 shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a server group automatic generation logic unit 223 shown in FIG. The automatic configuration in the information communication network according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the user connects between switches (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the user selects each switch (# 1 to # 3) from the accommodation terminal belonging VLAN designation function 211 or 212 on the front panel 21 of each switch (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3. # 3) Designate the groups to which the terminals 4-1 to 4-4 and servers 3-1 and 3-2 connected to 2-1 to 2-3 belong.

  In this case, the accommodation terminal affiliation VLAN designation functions 211 and 212 have a function of designating the ID of the VLAN to which each belongs from the man-machine interface. The terminals 4-1 to 4-4 and the servers 3-1 and 3 from the man-machine interface of the accommodation terminal affiliation VLAN designation function 211 and 212 of the front panel 21 of each switch (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3. -2 belongs to the terminals 4-1 to 4-4 and the servers 3-1 and 3-2 connected to the switches (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3 according to the input screen displayed in FIG. The user specifies the group to perform.

  For this designation, for example, a correspondence table such as “General Affairs Department” → “VLAN ID 100” is created in advance, and the corresponding item of the correspondence table displayed on the screen is selected with a mouse or the like, or based on the correspondence table The “general affairs department terminal accommodation port” can be designated by inputting “100” from a keyboard or touch panel (not shown).

  The accommodated terminal attribute automatic determination logic unit 221 of each switch (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3 is a group of terminals directly accommodated by each switch (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3. It has a function of recognizing the VLAN to which the server group belongs by setting on the front panel 21 and assigning the corresponding port to each VLAN. The accommodation terminal attribute automatic determination logic unit 221 automatically sets the attribute of the terminal accommodation port according to, for example, the logic shown in FIG. 4 according to the attribute of the accommodation terminal.

  That is, the accommodated terminal attribute automatic decision logic unit 221 starts processing at a constant cycle, and if the attribute of the accommodated terminal is a terminal / server accommodated line (step S2 in FIG. 4), the accommodated terminal VLAN is set to the port (FIG. 4). 4 step S3). The accommodated terminal attribute automatic decision logic unit 221 executes such automatic setting of the attributes of the terminal accommodated ports in a loop for the accommodated ports (steps S1 to S3 in FIG. 4).

  The network automatic configuration logic unit 222 of each of the switches (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3 has an attribute of a line connecting the switches (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3, “ Automatically recognizes the "line speed, etc." and the relative positional relationship of the connected switch group, and whether it performs the layer 3 switching function, the layer 2 switching function, or both, etc. It has a function to automatically build a network through decisions.

  The network automatic configuration logic unit 222 exchanges information with other switches through inter-switch connections, and automatically constructs a network with the logic shown in FIG. 5, for example.

  That is, the network automatic configuration logic unit 222 starts processing at a constant cycle, and recognizes the relative positions of the network configuration switch group and the own switch (step S11 in FIG. 5).

  In this case, the network automatic configuration logic unit 222 recognizes the trunk line (step S111 in FIG. 5), sets the trunk line as a trunk port (step S112 in FIG. 5), and sets link aggregation for the same route line (step S112). FIG. 5 step S113). Here, the link aggregation setting is a setting for bundling a plurality of physical links connecting between a server and a LAN switch or between two LAN switches.

  The network automatic configuration logic unit 222 recognizes all switch groups in the network configuration (step S114 in FIG. 5), and recognizes the entire switch group configuration in the network and the relative position of the own switch (step S115 in FIG. 5).

  Subsequently, the network automatic configuration logic unit 222 determines the following contents in cooperation with other switches (step S12 in FIG. 5). In this case, the network automatic configuration logic unit 222 determines the ID of each switch and the IP address in the inter-switch information exchange VLAN from the switch relative position information (step S121 in FIG. 5), and L2 (layer 2) / The function sharing of the L2 + L3 (layer 2 + layer 3) switch is determined (step S122 in FIG. 5).

  Further, the network automatic configuration logic unit 222 determines the layer 3 protocol condition in cooperation with other switches (step S13 in FIG. 5). In this case, the network automatic configuration logic unit 222 determines each VLAN-compatible address band from each switch-accommodating VLAN (step S131 in FIG. 5), and determines the L3 inter-switch use VLAN and its default gateway IP address (FIG. 5). In step S132), the L3 switch determines the default gateway IP address for each terminal-accommodating VLAN (step S133 in FIG. 5).

  The server group automatic generation logic unit 223 of each switch (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3 has a RADIUS, DHCP, or the like as necessary depending on the relative position of the own switch on the automatically constructed network. The server function is provided. The server group automatic generation logic unit 223 automatically generates a server function according to the logic shown in FIG.

  That is, the server group automatic generation logic unit 223 starts processing at a constant cycle, and automatically generates a server function with the default gateway switch accommodated in the terminal (step S21 in FIG. 6). In this case, the server group automatic generation logic unit 223 automatically generates the DHCP server function for the corresponding VLAN (step S211 in FIG. 6).

  In the above description, a simple network configuration example has been shown, but the same concept as the exemplified functions (interface preparation for function specification that is easy to understand even for a person who is not familiar with network technology, and sharing of various functions in cooperation between switches) In automatic setting, functions such as QoS setting, authentication environment setting, connection to an external network, connection between LANs, and automatic construction of a RADIUS server can be expanded.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing input data and generated data according to the embodiment of the present invention. 7A and 7B, examples of input information input using a man-machine interface, examples of generated information and generated functions generated as network configuration information (config information) from the input information input. It shows.

  In the case of FIG. 7A [basic function], if the input information is “port number: VLAN ID”, the generated information is “whether the function of the corresponding device is [L3] / [L3 + L2] / [L2]. "Is there?", "Routing table when the function of the corresponding device is L3", "Affiliated VLAN ID for each terminal accommodating port", "VLAN to be relayed for each relay port, each VLAN-compatible TAGID, and the line to the opposite switch "Multiple link aggregation" is set.

  In the case of FIG. 7B [advanced use], if the additional input information is “port number: terminal type (data / voice, etc.)”, the additional generation information is “QoS per VLAN: (Voice for voice is given high priority. ) ”Is generated, and“ addition of VLAN unit IP address bandwidth automatic generation and DHCP server function generation in a device positioned as a core switch ”is performed as an additional function.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the user can set simple conditions such as the connection between the constituent switches and the VLANs to which the terminals and servers accommodated in each switch are easily understood from the front panel 21 of the switch 2. By using the function, it is possible to construct a LAN in a short time without being particularly familiar with the network technology.

  In the present embodiment, an optimum network can be automatically configured even if the switch configuration, the relay line, or the like changes.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, each switch (# 1 to # 3) 2-1 to 2-3 recognizes the configuration of the entire network configuration switch group and the relative position of the switch itself, thereby automatically optimizing the network. Since it can be constructed, even if the network is divided due to a serious line failure, etc., it is possible to automatically secure communication within the divided and closed network by autonomously reconfiguring the network. it can.

  The present invention can be realized not only by a method of mounting the above function inside the switch as in the above-described embodiment, but also by a method of attaching to the switch as a dedicated device.

  In addition, the present invention provides a method in which each switch constituting the network implements the function of the present invention, and a method in which a device at the central position of the network implements the function of the present invention and collects information from other devices. It can also be realized.

  Furthermore, in order to stably change the network configuration according to the present invention, when performing the network configuration change, in addition to the execution in the state where the communication function is provided as the network, the network is not provided with the communication function. It can also be migrated and executed.

  Furthermore, the present invention expands functions such as automatic information exchange with terminals and servers, automatic information exchange with WAN connection routers, etc., so that QoS automatic setting and authentication environment setting, connection to an external network, and between LANs Functions such as connection and RADIUS server automatic construction can also be extended.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network component equipment 2,2-1 to 2-3 switch 3-1, 3-2 Server 4-1 to 4-4 Terminal
11 Network Configuration Requirements Acquisition Department
12 Network configuration condition acquisition unit
13 Network automatic configuration section
21 Front panel
22 Internal logic
211 Port # 1 accommodating terminal belonging VLAN designation function
212 Port # 2 accommodating terminal affiliation VLAN designation function
221 Accommodating terminal attribute automatic decision logic
222 Network automatic configuration logic
223 Server group automatic generation logic part

Claims (23)

Configuration requirement acquisition means for acquiring the configuration requirements of the information communication network from the outside through a man-machine interface when constructing the information communication network;
In accordance with the acquisition of the configuration requirements, a configuration condition acquisition means for automatically acquiring other configuration conditions other than the configuration requirements from at least the positional relationship between the network configuration devices;
A network configuration device comprising: an automatic configuration unit configured to autonomously configure the information communication network based on the acquired configuration requirements and the acquired condition group after acquiring the configuration conditions.   The network configuration device according to claim 1, wherein the man-machine interface is capable of designating a configuration requirement of the information communication network.   3. The configuration condition acquisition unit according to claim 1, wherein the configuration condition acquisition unit automatically recognizes and acquires at least the relative positions of all the components of the information communication network and the connection conditions of the connected terminals and servers. Network component equipment.   4. The network component device according to claim 1, further comprising server function automatic generation means for automatically generating a necessary server function inside the device itself.   The network constituent device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the network constituent device is a layer 2 switch or a layer 3 switch, or a multilayer switch having both functions.   6. The network constituent device according to claim 5, wherein the multilayer switch can be built in each of the existing communication devices constituting the information communication network.   6. The network constituent device according to claim 5, wherein the multilayer switch can be externally attached to each of the existing communication devices constituting the information communication network.   6. The network component device according to claim 5, wherein the multilayer switch can be incorporated in one or more representative devices in a group of existing communication devices constituting the information communication network.   6. The network component device according to claim 5, wherein the multilayer switch can be externally attached to one or more representative devices in a group of existing communication devices constituting the information communication network.   The network constituent device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a man-machine interface function built in the own device that can easily refer to and operate a configuration state and an operation state of the information communication network.   10. The external interface function that allows the configuration status and operation status of the information communication network to be easily referred to and operated by a device externally attached to the device itself. Network component equipment.   An information communication network comprising the network constituent device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. Network component equipment
A configuration requirement acquisition step of acquiring a configuration requirement of the information communication network from outside through a man-machine interface when constructing an information communication network;
A configuration condition acquisition step for automatically acquiring other configuration conditions other than the configuration requirements in accordance with the acquisition of the configuration requirements from at least the positional relationship between the network configuration devices;
An automatic network construction method comprising: an automatic configuration step for autonomously configuring the information communication network on the basis of the configuration requirement and the acquired condition group after acquiring the configuration condition.   The network automatic construction method according to claim 13, wherein the man-machine interface is capable of designating a configuration requirement of the information communication network.   The network configuration device, in the configuration condition acquisition step, at least automatically recognizes and acquires a relative position of all the configuration devices of the information communication network, connection conditions of connected terminals and servers. The network automatic construction method according to claim 13 or claim 14.   The automatic network construction method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, further comprising a server function automatic generation step for automatically generating a necessary server function in the network device in its own device.   The network automatic construction method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the network component device is a layer 2 switch, a layer 3 switch, or a multilayer switch having both functions.   18. The network automatic construction method according to claim 17, wherein the multilayer switch can be incorporated in each of existing communication devices constituting the information communication network.   18. The network automatic construction method according to claim 17, wherein the multilayer switch can be externally attached to each of existing communication devices constituting the information communication network.   18. The network automatic construction method according to claim 17, wherein the multi-layer switch can be built in one or more representative devices in an existing communication device group constituting the information communication network.   18. The network automatic construction method according to claim 17, wherein the multilayer switch can be externally attached to one or more representative devices in a group of existing communication devices constituting the information communication network.   The network configuration device includes a man-machine interface function built in the device itself that can easily refer to and operate the configuration status and operation status of the information communication network. Automatic network construction method.   14. The network configuration device includes an external interface function that allows the configuration status and operation status of the information communication network to be easily referred to and operated by a device externally attached to the device itself. Item 22. The network automatic construction method according to any one of Items 21.

Images