JP2012114644A - Network fabric switch system and automatic setting method for the network fabric switch system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technique capable of automatically setting link aggregation groups (LAGs) with respect to multiple network fabric switches.SOLUTION: Respective fabric switches (FSWs) 6-20 are mutually connected to interface fabric switches (IFSWs) 1, 2, 4. The FSWs 6-20 generate setting frames storing FS (fabric switch) numbers and transmit them to the IFSWs, 1, 2, 4 being connection destinations. The IFSWs 1, 2, 4 associate the FS numbers stored in the received setting frames with ports which receive the numbers, and register them in a LAG setting table. Then, the IFSWs, 1, 2, 4 respectively set LAGs 34, 36, 38 with respect to the ports which are registered in the LAG setting table.

Description

  The present invention relates to a network relay system and a network relay system automatic setting method.

  Conventionally, as a system that virtually operates as a single device using a plurality of network relay devices, a first network relay device group including a plurality of network relay devices functions as a fabric node and includes a plurality of network relay devices. A system in which a second network relay device group functions as a line node is known (see, for example, FIG. 8 of Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-290271 A

  In the prior art, for example, link aggregation is performed on a plurality of physical lines respectively connecting a network relay device belonging to the second network relay device group and a plurality of network relay devices belonging to the first network relay device group. A technique for setting a group (Link Aggregation Group: hereinafter abbreviated as “LAG”) is assumed. However, conventionally, there is a problem in that the work burden when setting the LAG increases as the number of network relay devices increases.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of automatically setting a LAG for a plurality of network repeaters.

  In order to solve the above problems, a network relay system of the present invention is a network relay system that relays network frames transmitted and received between a plurality of terminal devices, and a plurality of terminal devices connected to each other. A plurality of interface repeaters and a plurality of interface repeaters that are individually connected to any one of a plurality of ports of each interface repeater through at least the same number of ports and physical lines, and that have unique identification information for each individual Fabric relay devices, setting frame transmission means for transmitting the setting frame representing the identification information from each fabric relay device to each interface relay device, and the port that received the setting frame at each interface relay device and setting The identification information represented by the frame The identification information recognizing means that recognizes in association with each other and forms a logically common order with respect to the plurality of ports of each interface repeater based on the identification information associated with each, and according to this order A common setting unit configured to set a link aggregation group in which a plurality of ports and physical lines are logically bundled when a network frame is relayed between each interface repeater and a plurality of fabric repeaters.

  In order to solve the above problems, the network relay system automatic setting method of the present invention includes a plurality of interface repeaters to which any of a plurality of terminal devices that transmit and receive network frames to each other, and a plurality of these Consists of a plurality of fabric repeaters individually connected to any one of a plurality of ports included in each interface repeater through at least the same number of ports and physical lines as the interface repeater, and given unique identification information for each individual A method for automatically setting a network relay system for setting a logical connection relation of a network relay system, wherein a setting frame representing its own identification information is transmitted from each fabric relay to each interface relay Transmission process and each interface In the relay, the identification information recognition step for recognizing the port that received the setting frame and the identification information represented by the setting frame in association with each other, and the plurality of ports of each interface repeater are associated with each other A logically common order is constructed based on the identified identification information, and a plurality of ports and physical lines are set for network frame relay between each interface repeater and a plurality of fabric repeaters according to this order. And a common setting step of setting link aggregation groups that are logically bundled.

  According to the network relay system and its automatic setting method of the present invention, LAG can be automatically set for a plurality of network relays.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a network relay system. It is a figure which shows roughly the example of a structure of the network relay system in case IFSW, FSW, and a server are accommodated in the rack. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the functional structure of IFSW and FSW. It is a figure which shows roughly the structural example of the network relay system at the time of setting LAG automatically by each IFSW of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process which produces | generates a setting frame in FSW of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process of LAG by each IFSW of 1st Embodiment. It is a table | surface which shows the LAG setting table of each IFSW of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows roughly the structural example of the network relay system at the time of setting LAG automatically to each FSW in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process which sets LAG, when each FSW of 2nd Embodiment receives the automatic setting frame. It is a table | surface which shows the LAG setting table of each FSW in 2nd Embodiment. It is a table | surface which shows the LAG setting table of each IFSW in 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment includes (1) a form as a network relay system including a plurality of IFSWs (Interface Fabric Switches) and a plurality of FSWs (Faric Switches), and (2) a form as a network relay system automatic setting method.

[Overview of network relay system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a network relay system. This network relay system mainly includes a plurality of IFSWs 1, 2, 4 (interface relays) and a plurality of FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 (fabric relays), and these are mutually connected. It is composed of a plurality of physical lines to be connected (reference numerals are omitted). IFSW1, 2, 4 and FSW6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 shown as examples in FIG. 1 are data transfer functions such as layer 2 and layer 3 of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model, for example. Is a switching hub. The basic structures and functions of the IFSWs 1, 2, 4 and the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 may be common to each other. In the present embodiment, among the above switching hubs, those connected to terminal devices such as the servers 22 to 32 are referred to as “IFSW”, and those connected to the IFSW are referred to as “FSW”. Each of the servers 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32 is a server used by the user in the backbone network, such as a file server or a mail server, or a network repeater for relaying data in the user's network. Terminal equipment. In addition to the IFSWs 1, 2, 4, some other IFSWs (not shown) are arranged in the network relay system, and these are individually FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 are connected by physical lines.

  Each of the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 includes a plurality of ports (not shown), and some of these ports are ports arranged in the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20, respectively. It is connected to the. Further, in the IFSW 1, terminal devices such as a plurality of servers 22 and 24 and a plurality of servers (not shown) are connected to the other ports. Similarly to IFSW1, IFSW2 and 4 have servers 26 and 28, servers 30 and 32, and a plurality of other servers (not shown) connected to some ports. Here, the servers 22 to 32 are exemplified as the terminal devices, but the terminal devices may be personal computers, workstations, or the like.

  In the IFSW1, a LAG 34 using a link aggregation function is set in each port to which the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 are connected. Similarly to IFSW1, IFSW2 and 4 have LAGs 36 and 38 respectively set in the ports to which FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 are connected.

  In the network relay system of this embodiment, the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 can automatically set the LAGs 34, 36, and 38, respectively. For example, in the initial state where the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 are connected to the IFSWs 1, 2, 4, respectively, first, the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 are firstly connected. , 20 transmit setting frames to the ports of IFSW1, 2, and 4. Each IFSW 1, 2, 4 automatically sets LAG 34, 36, 38 based on the setting frame received at each port. A method for automatically setting the LAGs 34, 36, 38 by the IFSWs 1, 2, 4 will be described in detail later with reference to another drawing.

  When each IFSW 1, 2, 4 transmits a network frame received from each server 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 to the FSW 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, a predetermined algorithm From which port among the ports set in the respective LAGs 34, 36, 38 is determined to transmit the network frame. In this algorithm, for example, when an identification number (INDEX) is set in advance for each port constituting the LAG and a network frame transmitted from the servers 22 to 32 is received, destination information and transmission stored in the network frame are transmitted. By associating a value obtained by calculating a MAC address or an IP address indicating original information with the above identification number, a port to which received data is to be transferred is uniquely determined. Thereby, it is possible to distribute the load generated when each IFSW 1, 2, 4 transfers the network frame received from the servers 22-32 to the FSWs 6-20.

  In addition, since each IFSW 1, 2, and 4 can uniquely determine the port to which the network frame is to be transmitted by the above algorithm, the communication path on the transmission side of the network frame between the servers 22 to 32 and the reception side Communication paths can be matched. For example, when the server 22 and the server 32 transmit / receive network frames to / from each other, the frames transmitted from the server 22 are transferred to the FSW 20 via the IFSW 1 according to the above algorithm, and further transferred from the FSW 20 to the server 32 via the IFSW 4. Is done. Conversely, the frame transmitted from the server 32 is transferred to the FSW 20 via the IFSW 4 and further transferred from the FSW 20 to the server 22 via the IFSW 1. As described above, when a network frame is transmitted and received between a certain two servers 22 and 32, the ports used by IFSW1 and IFSW4 match in both directions.

  In this way, LAGs 34, 36, and 38 are set for the ports of IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 connected to the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20, respectively. Thereby, for example, when a failure occurs in communication between any of the FSWs 6 to 20 and the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4, the network frame transferred between them can be instantaneously switched and transferred to another communication path. it can. Further, after the communication failure is recovered, for example, if the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 transmit the setting frames to the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4, the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 that have received the setting frames are transmitted. Then, the LAGs 34, 36, and 38 can be automatically set again. For this reason, in the network relay system of this embodiment, when a communication failure occurs, the communication failure can be automatically avoided quickly, and when the failure is recovered, the recovery work can be automatically performed.

  The IFSWs 1, 2, 4 are respectively connected to the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and each IFSW 1, 2, 4 is configured by configuring each port connecting them as one LAG. In addition, network frames transferred between the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 can be efficiently distributed. Accordingly, the total amount of data to be transferred per unit time between these is the amount of data that can be transferred per unit time between IFSWs 1, 2, 4 and FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 And the desired data transfer efficiency can be maintained (so-called non-blocking can be realized).

  The IFSWs 1, 2, 4 and the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 are respectively independent box-type switching hubs. Therefore, it is not necessary to arrange these components as a single unit, and it is possible to realize a connection configuration that considers the arrangement of a plurality of servers more flexibly than, for example, a network relay system configured using a chassis type switching hub. . Note that the connection form considering these arrangements will be described in more detail later with reference to FIG.

  If a VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is set for each of the servers 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, IFSWs 1, 2, 4 and FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, Each of the network units 20 transmits / receives a network frame using a tag VLAN in principle. At this time, all the VLAN information assigned to the servers 22 to 32 is registered in the respective ports of the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20. The IFSWs 1, 2, 4 and the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 transmit the VLAN information in a tagged state according to each received network frame when transmitting the network frame. . As a result, even if a VLAN is set for each of the servers 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32, the communication path on the data transmission side and the communication path on the reception side can be matched between the servers. it can. Therefore, an operator or the like who manages this network relay system can easily manage communications executed between the servers 22 to 32 individually.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the network relay system when the IFSWs 1, 2, 4, FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and the servers 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 are stored in a rack. It is a figure which shows an example schematically. In the network relay system shown in FIG. 1, for example, IFSW1,2,4, FSW6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20 and servers 22,24,26,28,30,32 are racked in the data center. A configuration example in the case of storing in a case will be described.

  In one rack 40, IFSWs 1, 2, 4 and FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 are accommodated. The other racks 42 and 44 house a plurality of servers 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32, respectively. At this time, the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and the IFSWs 1, 2, 4 are connected to the ports SW of the IFSWs 1, 2, 4 similarly to the configuration (physical topology configuration) shown in FIG. 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 are connected. The servers 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32 accommodated in the racks 42 and 44 are connected to IFSWs 1, 2, and 4, respectively.

  In this way, a plurality of IFSWs 1, 2, 4 and FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 can be accommodated and arranged in one rack.

  Further, the IFSWs 1, 2, 4 are respectively stored in racks 42, 44 and other racks (not shown), and the servers 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, connected to the IFSWs 1, 2, 4 are stored. 32 may be stored in each rack in which the above-described IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 are stored.

  In any case, in the present embodiment, the IFSWs 1, 2, 4 and the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 may be arranged in one place or distributed. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly cope with future server expansion and rearrangement.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the functional configuration of the IFSWs 1, 2, 4 and the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20. In this embodiment, IFSWs 1, 2, 4 and FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 have the same basic configuration and function as a switching hub. Here, for the sake of convenience, the functional configuration will be described using IFSW1.

  The IFSW1 includes a port 46a to a port 46j, a frame transfer processing unit 48, a memory unit 50, and a LAG setting unit 52. The memory unit 50 includes an FDB (Forwarding DataBase) 50a and a LAG setting table 50b.

  Among the ports 46a to 46j, for example, the ports 46a to 46h of the IFSW1 are connected to the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20, respectively, and the ports 46i and 46j are respectively connected to the server 22. , 24. When receiving the network frame transmitted from each of the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 or the servers 22, 24, the ports 46 a to 46 j transfer them to the frame transfer processing unit 48. Further, the ports 46a to 46h of the IFSW 1 transmit the network frame transferred from the frame transfer processing unit 48.

  The frame transfer processing unit 48 relays the network frame transferred from the ports 46a to 46j to the transfer destination port. The LAG setting unit 52 sets the LAG 34 in the port based on the received setting frame and information registered in the LAG setting table 50b. Note that the LAG setting unit 52 shown in FIG. 2 sets the LAG 34 for the ports 46a to 46h connected to the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20.

  The frame transfer processing unit 48 determines the transfer destination port based on the destination information and source information of the network frame transferred from the ports 46a to 46j and the information stored in the FDB 50a and the LAG setting table 50b of the memory unit 50. Identify and forward network frames. For example, when the server 22 transmits data to the server 24, when the network frame transmitted from the server 22 is transferred to the frame transfer processing unit 48 via the port 46i, the frame transfer processing unit 48 stores the data in the network frame. The FDB 50 a is referred to based on the destination information indicating the server 24 and the transmission source information indicating the server 22. When the information indicating the server 24 is registered in the FDB 50a in association with the port 46j to which the server 24 is to be transmitted, the network frame is transferred to the port 46j.

  In addition, when the server 22 transmits a network frame to the servers 26 to 32 connected to the other IFSWs 2 and 4, when the network frame transmitted from the server 22 is transferred to the frame transfer processing unit 48 via the port 46 i. The frame transfer processing unit 48 refers to the FDB 50a. When the destination information of the network frame is registered in association with the ports 46a to 46h set in the LAG 34, the frame transfer processing unit 48 registers the network frame with any port ( For example, it is transmitted from the port 46a).

  In this embodiment, the physical order (for example, physical port number) of the ports 46a to 46h connecting the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 is the same in each IFSW 1, 2, and 4. Even if not, the LAG can be automatically set efficiently by the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4. The method for automatically setting the LAG will be described later in detail with reference to another drawing.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the network relay system when the LAGs 34, 36, and 38 are automatically set by the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 according to the first embodiment. In the following, a setting frame is transmitted from each FSW 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 to each IFSW 1, 2, 4, and each IFSW 1, 2, 4 that has received this is sent to each port. A method for setting the LAGs 34, 36, and 38 will be described. A dotted arrow shown in FIG. 4 represents the transmission direction of the setting frame. In FIG. 4, only the FSWs 6 and 20 are described, and other FSWs 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 are omitted for convenience.

  In FIG. 4, (A): Like the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 shown in FIG. 1, the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 connect the FSWs 6 and 20, respectively. At this time, in each of the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4, the FSWs 6 and 20 do not need to be connected to the same port number, and may be connected to arbitrary ports.

  For example, a device number (hereinafter abbreviated as “FS number”) is assigned to each of the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 as identification information for identifying them individually. It is. The FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 each generate a setting frame and transmit it to the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 connected to the respective ports (setting frame transmission step). In this setting frame, the FS number is stored.

  Then, each IFSW 1, 2, 4 registers the identification information (FS number) represented by the received setting frame in the LAG setting table 50b in association with the port that has received the setting frame (identification information recognition step).

  4B: When all the FS numbers are registered, the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 set the ports registered in the LAG setting table 50b to the LAGs 34, 36, and 38 based on the FS numbers (common setting process). ). At this time, the LAGs 34, 36, and 38 are set on the basis of the FS number associated with each port, not the physical port number. That is, the physical port numbers of the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 are sorted on the basis of the FS numbers, and then grouped into LAGs 34, 36, and 38 according to the sorted order. Thereby, in each IFSW 1, 2, 4, it is possible to automatically set the ports and physical lines belonging to the respective LAGs 34, 36, 38 according to a common order (order sorted based on the FS number).

  When each of the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 receives the network frame transmitted from the servers 22 to 32, it forwards the received network frame from the ports belonging to the LAGs 34, 36, and 38 based on a predetermined algorithm. Decide which port to do. At this time, in each IFSW 1, 2, 4, the distributed paths of the LAGs 34, 36, 38 are in a logically consistent state.

  In the above algorithm, for example, when the network frames transmitted from the servers 22 to 32 are received by the IFSWs 1, 2, 4, the MAC address or IP address indicating the destination information and the transmission source information stored therein is calculated. By associating the value obtained by doing this with the FS number, the physical port number to which the received data is to be transferred is uniquely determined. Thereby, when relaying the network frame transmitted from the servers 22 to 32 to any one of the FSWs 6 to 20, it is possible to distribute the load applied when the frames are transferred by the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4.

  In addition, the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 transmit and receive network frames using the above algorithm, respectively, so that the bidirectional communication paths for transferring the network frames between the servers 22 to 32 can be matched. For example, when the server 22 and the server 32 shown in FIG. 1 transmit / receive data to / from each other, the network frame transmitted from the server 22 is transferred to the FSW 20 via the IFSW 1 by the above algorithm, and further from the FSW 20 to the IFSW 4. And transferred to the server 32. At this time, the network frame transmitted from the server 32 is transferred to the FSW 20 via the IFSW 4 and further transferred from the FSW 20 to the server 22 via the IFSW 1. As a result, the communication speed of the network frame passing through the upstream and downstream communication paths between the servers 22 and 32 can be kept constant, and efficient communication can be executed without narrowing the bandwidth.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing for generating a setting frame in the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 according to the first embodiment. The setting frame is generated when, for example, the FSW 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 is turned on, when the IFSW 1, 2, 4 is connected to the port, or at any timing by the operator Is done. The procedure will be described below.

Step S100: In each FSW 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, the setting frame generation unit 52a generates a setting frame.
Step S102: Each FSW 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 transmits a setting frame from each port and ends (END) this process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the setting process of the LAGs 34, 36, 38 by the IFSWs 1, 2, 4 of the first embodiment. The procedure will be described below.
Step S200: IFSW1, 2, and 4 receive the setting frames transmitted from FSW6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20, respectively, and proceed to the next step S202.

  Step S202: IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 register the FS number stored in the received setting frame in the LAG setting table 50b in association with the port that has received the setting frame.

  Step S204: In IFSWs 1, 2, and 4, the LAG setting unit 52 sets LAG for the ports registered in the LAG setting table, and ends (END) this process.

[LAG setting table of the first embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a table showing the LAG setting table 50b of each IFSW 1, 2, 4 of the first embodiment. When the setting frames transmitted from the respective FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 are received by the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4, the FS numbers stored therein are registered in the LAG setting table 50b.

  In the source FS number column arranged in the leftmost column in FIG. 7, the FS numbers stored in the setting frames received by the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 are sorted in descending order. For example, “1” is a device number (identification information unique to each individual) indicating “FSW6”, and “8” is a device number indicating “FSW20”. Here, the FS number is a serial number such as “1” to “8”, but it is unique to each IFSW 1, 2, 4 and is automatically sorted according to some standard (for example, numerical comparison). If possible, it may be a random unique number.

  In the column of the LAG belonging port arranged in the center column, the code (physical port number) of the port that received the setting frame is shown. Each port is registered corresponding to the FS number of the transmission source registered in the left column. For example, the port 46c shown in the LAG affiliation port column is registered corresponding to the FS number “1”. Therefore, it can be seen that the port 46c is connected to the FSW 6 in this example.

  For example, “100” is shown as the group number in the LAG ID column arranged in the rightmost column. The ports shown in the LAG affiliation port column belong to the common LAG 34.

  As described above, by transmitting the setting frame from each of the FSWs 6 to 20, the LAGs 34, 36, and 38 can be automatically set for the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4, respectively. Therefore, for example, even if a failure occurs between the IFSWs 1, 2, 4 and the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, the FSWs 6, 8, 10 are again restored after the failure is recovered. 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 transmit a setting frame to each IFSW 1, 2, 4, each IFSW 1, 2, 4 automatically restarts LAG 34, 36, 38 based on the received setting frame. Can be set.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a network relay system according to the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 are connected to the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 via two (or two or more) network cables, respectively. This is different from the first embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and here, the same reference numerals are assigned to the common configurations in the drawings, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the network relay system when the LAG is automatically set in each of the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 in the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, (A): Identification information (hereinafter referred to as “IFS number”) for identifying each IFSW 1, 2, 4 is also assigned in advance. When setting frames are generated in the setting frame generation unit 52 shown in the figure, the setting information of the LAGs 54, 56, and 58 and the IFS numbers assigned to them are stored in the setting frames. The generated setting frame is transmitted from the port to which the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 are connected (setting frame transmission step).

  In FIG. 8, (B): When each FSW 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 receives the setting frame transmitted from IFSW 1, 2, 4, it receives the IFS number stored therein. It is registered in the LAG setting table 50b in association with the port. The FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 set the LAGs 54, 56, and 58 separately for the same IFS number in the respective LAG setting units 52 (fabric side setting step). . For example, in FSW6, two ports connecting IFSW1 are set as LAG54, and two ports connecting IFSW2 are set as LAG56. Also, the two ports connecting IFSW4 are set as LAG58.

  In the first embodiment, the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 connect the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 to the individual ports, respectively. Therefore, the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 do not need to set LAG for the ports connected to the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4. However, in the second embodiment, for example, in FSW6, IFSW1 is connected to two ports. In the FSW 6, the IFSWs 2 and 4 are also connected to two ports, like the IFSW1. Each FSW 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 is connected to two ports (and these by setting LAG for each of the two ports to which IFSWs 1, 2, 4 are connected. 2 physical lines) can be logically set as one line.

  In this way, LAGs 54, 56, and 58 can be automatically set for FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 based on the setting frames transmitted from IFSWs 1, 2, and 4. Therefore, there is no need for manual setting by an operator or administrator, and a network can be quickly constructed.

  Each of the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 connects the setting frames storing the respective FS numbers and LAG setting information to the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4, as in the first embodiment. It transmits from all the ports that have been set (setting frame transmission step). Each of the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 sets LAG for the port that has received the setting frame based on the FS number stored in the received setting frame (common setting step).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing for automatically setting the LAGs 54, 56, and 58 when the setting frames are received by the respective FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 according to the second embodiment. Here, for convenience, the procedure for setting the LAG when the FSW 6 receives the setting frame is described, but the other FSWs 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 also set the LAG by the same procedure. .

Step S300: When the FSW 6 receives the setting frame from each IFSW 1, 2, 4, the process proceeds to the next step S302.
Step S302: The FSW 6 associates the IFS number stored in the received setting frame with the port that has received it and registers it in the LAG setting table 50b, and proceeds to the next step S304.
Step S304: The LAG setting unit 52 of the FSW 6 sets a LAG for each identical IFS number among the IFS numbers and ports registered in the LAG setting table 50b, and ends (END) this process.

[LAG setting table of the second embodiment]
FIG. 10 is a table showing the LAG setting table 50b of each FSW 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 in the second embodiment. In each of the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20, a LAG is set for each IFS number registered by the procedure shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 10, the IFS number indicating each IFSW 1, 2, 4 is shown in the column of the transmission source IFS number arranged in the left end column. In the column of the LAG belonging port arranged in the center column, the port that has received the setting frame is shown. Each port is registered in association with each IFS number. For example, the port 46c and the port 46e in the LAG belonging port column are associated with the IFS number “1”, and it can be seen that these ports are connected to the IFSW1.

  For example, “101” to “N” are shown as group numbers in the LAG ID column arranged in the rightmost column. This group is set for each IFS number. For example, the ports 46c and 46e associated with the IFS “1” belong to the LAG ID “101”.

  FIG. 11 is a table showing the LAG setting table 50b of each IFSW 1, 2, 4 in the second embodiment.

  A difference from the first embodiment is that duplicate FS numbers are registered in the LAG setting table in the source FS number column of the LAG setting table 50b. However, as in the first embodiment, in the LAG belonging port column, the FS number stored in the received setting frame and the port that received the FS number are registered in association with each other.

  In the LAG ID column, one “100” is shown as the group number. Similar to the first embodiment, all ports registered in association with the transmission source FS number are set to common LAGs 34, 36, and 38.

  When transmitting network frames received by the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 from the ports belonging to the LAGs 34, 36, and 38, the frame transfer processing unit 48 of each IFSW 1, 2, and 4 refers to the LAG setting table 50b and performs predetermined processing. Based on the value calculated by the algorithm, the corresponding FS number is specified.

  In the second embodiment, there are two ports registered in the LAG setting table 50b corresponding to the same FS number. For example, any one of these ports is set as a transmission port of a network frame by a predetermined algorithm. May be determined as In addition, when the above two ports are set in advance for a transmission port and a reception port, the frame transfer processing unit 48 uses the transmission port registered in the LAG setting table 50b corresponding to the FS number. May be determined uniquely.

  Thus, even if each FSW 6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20 and each IFSW 1,2,4 are connected through a plurality of ports, each FSW 6,8. , 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 can automatically set LAGs 54, 56, and 58 for each port to which the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 are connected. For this reason, for example, when a port affected by a communication failure becomes ready to transmit and receive a network frame again due to the failure recovery, each FSW 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 By receiving the setting frames from 2 and 4 again, the LAGs 54, 56 and 58 can be automatically set for the above ports. On the other hand, each of the IFSWs 1, 2, and 4 can automatically set the LAGs 34, 36, and 38 by receiving the setting frame from each of the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 again. Can do.

  Further, when each IFSW 1, 2, 4 transmits a received network frame from a port belonging to LAG 34, 36, 38, a port to which a network frame should be transmitted by associating a value with an FS number by a predetermined algorithm Is determined. For this reason, in each IFSW 1, 2 and 4, even if the port numbers for connecting the FSWs 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 do not match, bidirectional communication between specific servers 22 to 32 is possible. Communication can go through the same communication path for uplink and downlink. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the transfer time of the network frame from being different for each direction, and to make effective use of the communication band by matching the dispersion.

1,2,4 IFSW (interface repeater)
6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 FSW (fabric repeater)
22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 Server (terminal equipment)
34, 36, 38 LAG
46a to 46j Port 50b LAG setting table 54, 56, 58 LAG

Claims (6)

A network relay system that relays network frames transmitted and received between a plurality of terminal devices,
A plurality of interface repeaters to which any of the terminal devices is connected;
A plurality of fabric relays individually connected to any one of the plurality of ports of each interface repeater through at least the same number of ports and physical lines as the plurality of interface repeaters, and provided with unique identification information for each individual And
A setting frame transmitting means for transmitting a setting frame representing the identification information of each of the fabric relays to each interface relay;
Identification information recognition means for recognizing the port receiving the setting frame and the identification information represented by the setting frame in each interface repeater;
For each of the plurality of ports included in each interface repeater, a logically common order is configured based on the identification information associated with each port, and each interface repeater and the plurality of fabrics are configured according to this order. A network relay system comprising: a common setting unit configured to set a link aggregation group in which a plurality of the ports and the physical lines are logically bundled when relaying the network frame performed with a relay. The network relay system according to claim 1,
The setting frame transmission means includes
As the identification information, transmit the setting frame representing a unique device number assigned to each individual fabric repeater in advance to each interface repeater,
The identification information recognition means includes
Recognizing each port that has received the setting frame in association with the device number represented by the setting frame,
The common setting means includes
The network relay system, wherein the link aggregation group is set according to the order of the device numbers. In the network relay system according to claim 1 or 2,
In addition to the fabric relay, each of the plurality of interface relays is given unique identification information for each individual,
The plurality of fabric repeaters are:
Respectively connected to the plurality of ports of each interface repeater through the plurality of ports and the physical line,
The setting frame transmission means includes
While transmitting the setting frame from each fabric repeater to each interface repeater, each interface repeater further transmits a setting frame representing its own identification information to each fabric repeater. ,
Each fabric repeater is
When the setting frame is received from each of the plurality of interface repeaters, the received port is recognized in association with the identification information unique to the interface repeater represented by the setting frame. A network relay system characterized by setting a link aggregation group that logically groups a plurality of the ports having the same identification information. A plurality of interface repeaters to which any of a plurality of terminal devices that transmit and receive network frames are connected, and a plurality of ports that each interface repeater has through at least the same number of ports and physical lines as the plurality of interface repeaters Network relay system automatic setting method for setting a logical connection relationship of a network relay system configured with a plurality of fabric repeaters individually connected to any of the above and each having unique identification information assigned thereto Because
A setting frame transmission step of transmitting a setting frame representing the identification information of each of the fabric relays to each interface relay;
An identification information recognition step for recognizing the port that has received the setting frame and the identification information represented by the setting frame in each interface repeater;
For each of the plurality of ports included in each interface repeater, a logically common order is configured based on the identification information associated with each port, and each interface repeater and the plurality of fabrics are configured according to this order. An automatic setting method for a network relay system, comprising: a common setting step of setting a link aggregation group in which a plurality of the ports and the physical lines are logically bundled when relaying the network frame performed with a repeater. In the automatic setting method of the network relay system according to claim 4,
In the setting frame transmission step,
As the identification information, transmit the setting frame representing a unique device number assigned to each individual fabric repeater in advance to each interface repeater,
In the identification information recognition step,
Recognizing each port that has received the setting frame in association with the device number represented by the setting frame,
In the common setting step,
An automatic setting method for a network relay system, wherein the link aggregation group is set according to an order of the device numbers. In the automatic setting method of the network relay system according to claim 4 or 5,
In addition to the fabric relay, each of the plurality of interface relays is given unique identification information for each individual,
The plurality of fabric repeaters are:
Respectively connected to the plurality of ports of each interface repeater through the plurality of ports and the physical line,
In the setting frame transmission step,
While transmitting the setting frame from each fabric repeater to each interface repeater, each interface repeater further transmits a setting frame representing its own identification information to each fabric repeater. ,
When each of the fabric relays receives the setting frame from each of the plurality of interface relays, the received port is associated with the identification information unique to the interface relay represented by the setting frame. The network relay system automatic setting method further comprising a fabric side setting step of setting a link aggregation group that logically collects a plurality of the ports having the same recognized identification information. .

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