JP2012186547A - Control device, management method, communication station, and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable communication stations managed by a control device to be properly exchanged.SOLUTION: A control device (400) comprises: a storage unit (420) for storing correspondence information (421) registering correspondence of first identification information for identifying a communication station to second identification information for identifying a network connection device to which the base station is connected; an acquisition unit (411) for acquiring the first identification information of the communication station and the second identification information of the network connection device to which the base station is connected, that are transmitted from the communication station; and a processing unit (412) for, based on the correspondence information and the first and second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit (411), (i) performing authentication of the communication station, and (ii) when the authentication of the communication station is successful, updating the correspondence information by using the first and second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit (411).

Description

  The present invention relates to a management apparatus and management method for managing a communication station such as a radio base station, a communication station such as a radio base station, and a technical field of a communication system including such a management apparatus and communication station.

  As a base station used in a communication system such as a cellular phone system, an extremely small base station having a cover area (that is, a cell radius) of several meters to several tens of meters to several tens of meters has been proposed. Such a small base station is called a femtocell base station (eg, Home NodeB (or HNB)), and a cell formed by such a small base station is called a “femtocell”. ing. A femtocell base station can cover a dead zone of a mobile phone such as in a home or office. The femtocell base station is connected to a home gateway (for example, an optical home gateway or an xDSL (x Digital Subscriber Line) modem). As a result, the femtocell base station connects to the mobile phone network via the broadband network.

JP 2010-199738 A

  For example, the femtocell base station is managed by using a management apparatus that manages the femtocell base station, using machine number information unique to the femtocell base station. The machine number information is used as connection information for the femtocell base station to connect to the mobile phone network.

  A failure of a femtocell base station may be dealt with by exchanging the femtocell base station. In this case, the management device that manages the femtocell base station updates the device number information managed by itself to the device number information of the replaced femtocell base station. The machine number information is updated by a field worker who is exchanging the femtocell base station, an operator in charge of the management apparatus, or the like (ie, manually).

  However, the following technical problems are caused by manually updating the machine number information managed by the management apparatus. Specifically, the field worker replaces the old femtocell base station with a fault by bringing a new femtocell base station for replacement into the user's home. Therefore, the field worker can manage the femtocell base station by sending the updated machine number information (ie, after the change) to the person in charge of the management apparatus managing the femtocell base station by telephone contact. A method of updating the machine number information is considered. However, if the user's home where the femtocell base station is installed is a radio-insensitive area such as a high-rise apartment or basement, the field worker should contact the operation staff using a mobile phone from the user's home. There may be a technical problem that cannot be done. As a result, femtocell base stations may not be exchanged properly or quickly.

  It should be noted that not only the femtocell base station but also any communication station (for example, any communication terminal or any communication device), if the communication station is exchanged, the same technical problem May occur.

  Examples of problems to be solved by the present invention include the above. An object of the present invention is to provide a management device and a management method, a communication station, and a communication system that make it possible to appropriately exchange, for example, a communication station managed by the management device.

  The disclosed management device is a management device that manages communication stations connected to a network via a network connection device, and includes a storage unit, an acquisition unit, and a processing unit. The storage unit stores correspondence information in which correspondence between first identification information for identifying a communication station and second identification information for identifying a network connection device to which the communication station is connected is registered. . The acquisition unit acquires the first identification information of the communication station and the second identification information of the network connection apparatus to which the communication station is connected, notified from the communication station. The processing unit authenticates the communication station based on the correspondence information stored in the storage unit and the first and second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit. When the authentication of the communication station is successful, the processing unit updates the correspondence information using the first and second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit.

  The disclosed communication station is a communication station that is connected to a network via a network connection device, and includes a collection unit and a notification unit. The collection unit collects first identification information for identifying a communication station and second identification information for identifying a network connection apparatus to which the communication station is connected. The notification unit notifies the management apparatus that manages the communication station of the first and second identification information collected by the collection unit.

  The disclosed communication system includes a network connection device, a communication station connected to the network via the network connection device, and a management device that manages the communication station. The communication station includes a notification unit that notifies the management device of first identification information for identifying the communication station and second identification information for identifying the network connection device to which the communication station is connected. The management device is the same as the management device described above.

  The disclosed management method is a management device that manages a communication station that is connected to a network via a network connection device, and that connects the first identification information for identifying the communication station and the communication station. It is the management method of the communication station by the management apparatus provided with the memory | storage part which memorize | stores the correspondence information which shows matching with the 2nd identification information for identifying an apparatus. The management method includes an acquisition process and a processing process. In the acquisition step, the first identification information of the communication station and the second identification information of the network connection apparatus to which the communication station is connected, which are notified from the communication station, are acquired. In the processing step, the communication station is authenticated based on the correspondence information stored in the storage unit and the first and second identification information acquired in the acquisition step. In the processing step, when the authentication of the communication station is successful, the correspondence information is updated using the first and second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit.

  According to the management device and management method, communication station, and communication system described above, it is possible to appropriately exchange communication stations and the like managed by the management device.

It is a block diagram which shows notionally the basic composition of the communication system of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a femtocell base station. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a home gateway. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the network apparatus for femtocells. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the communication system of this embodiment. It is a data structure figure which shows the data structure of the address database which matches and records the MAC address of a home gateway, and the machine number information of a femtocell base station.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a description is given using a femtocell base station as an example of a communication station. However, any communication station other than the femtocell base station (for example, a communication terminal or a communication device) may be used.

(1) Communication system With reference to FIG. 1, the basic composition of the communication system 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 of this embodiment includes a femtocell base station 100, a home gateway (HGW) 200, a broadband network 300, and a femtocell network device (hereinafter “ A network device 500), a mobile phone network 500, and a mobile terminal 600.

  1 illustrates an example in which the communication system 1 includes one femtocell base station 100. However, the communication system 1 may include two or more femtocell base stations 100. FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the femtocell base station 100 is connected to the mobile phone network 500 via the network device 400. However, the femtocell base station 100 may be connected to the mobile phone network 500 without going through the network device 400.

  The femtocell base station 100 is a base station (so-called home base station) that covers a femtocell having a cell radius of approximately several meters to several tens of meters to several tens of meters. The femtocell base station 100 performs radio communication with the mobile terminal 600 located in the femtocell covered by itself. That is, the femtocell base station 100 establishes a communication connection with the mobile terminal 600 located in the femtocell covered by itself, and actually performs wireless communication. In 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), the femtocell base station is referred to as HeNB (Home eNodeB).

  The femtocell base station 100 is connected to a host station via a user's (for example, a user of the mobile terminal 600) in-house equipment (specifically, the home gateway 200) and a broadband network 300 connected to the in-home equipment. To do. As the upper station, for example, a radio network controller (RNC), a core network including a subscriber exchange, a relay exchange, a gateway exchange, etc., a mobile management entity (MME) and a gateway An evolved packet core system (EPC: Evolved Packet Core) including (GW: Gate Way) is an example.

  The home gateway 200 is a home facility that connects the femtocell base station 100 and the broadband network 300. Home gateway 200 relays communication between femtocell base station 100 and broadband network 300. Therefore, the home gateway 200 receives information transmitted from the femtocell base station 100 and transmits the received information to the broadband network 300. Similarly, the home gateway 200 receives information transmitted from the broadband network 300 and transmits the received information to the femtocell base station 100.

  The line between the home gateway 200 and the femtocell base station 100 is a wired line (or a wired network), but at least a part thereof may be a wireless line (or a wireless network). Similarly, the line between the home gateway 200 and the broadband network 300 is a wired line (or a wired network), but at least a part of the line may be a wireless line (or a wireless network). Examples of the home gateway 200 include an optical gateway and an xDSL (x Digital Subscriber Line) modem.

  The broadband network 300 is a network that connects the home gateway 200 and the network device 400. Examples of the broadband network 300 include a metal line network such as an xDSL network and an optical line network such as an optical fiber network.

  The network device 400 is a management device that manages the femtocell base station 100. The network device 400 is connected to both the broadband network 300 and the mobile phone network 500. The line between the network device 400 and the broadband network 300 is a wired line (or a wired network), but at least a part thereof may be a wireless line (or a wireless network). Similarly, the line between the network device 400 and the mobile phone network 500 is a wired line (or a wired network), but at least a part thereof may be a wireless line (or a wireless network). However, as long as the network device 400 can communicate with the femtocell base station 100, the network device 400 may not be connected to the broadband network 300 or may not be connected to the mobile phone network 500. Good.

  The cellular phone network 500 is a network in which information (for example, a packet or voice) transmitted from the mobile terminal 600 is transmitted to another mobile terminal 600. Examples of the mobile phone network 500 include a core network including a radio network controller (RNC), a subscriber exchange, a relay exchange, and a gateway exchange, a mobile management entity (MME) and a gateway. An evolved packet core system (EPC: Evolved Packet Core) including (GW: Gate Way) is an example.

  The mobile terminal 600 is a mobile terminal that establishes a communication connection with the femtocell base station 100 corresponding to the femtocell in which the mobile terminal 600 is located and transmits and receives information. The mobile terminal 600 can use various services or applications (for example, a mail service, a voice call service, a WEB browsing service, a packet communication service, etc.) via the femtocell base station 100. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 600 may use various services or applications via an arbitrary base station (not shown) other than the femtocell base station.

(2) Configuration of Femtocell Base Station A configuration of the femtocell base station 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the femtocell base station 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the femtocell base station 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a memory 120, a wireless communication interface unit 130, a wired communication interface unit 140, and a data bus 150.

  The CPU 110 is a control circuit that operates based on predetermined firmware or the like, and controls the overall operation of the femtocell base station 100.

  The CPU 110 includes an address collection unit 111 and an authentication processing unit 112 as physical, logical, or functional processing blocks realized therein.

  The address collection unit 111 collects the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the home gateway 200 to which the femtocell base station 100 is connected. Furthermore, the address collection unit 111 collects machine number information (in other words, femtocell base station ID) that is uniquely assigned to the femtocell base station 100.

  The authentication processing unit 112 makes an authentication request for inquiring whether the femtocell base station 100 can be used to the network device 400. When making an authentication request, the authentication processing unit 111 transmits authentication information including the MAC address of the home gateway 200 and the machine number information of the femtocell base station 100 collected by the address collecting unit 111 to the network device 400.

  The memory 120 temporarily stores information used in the femtocell base station 100 and stores a program (that is, firmware) for operating as the femtocell base station 100. The memory 120 stores machine number information therein.

  The wireless communication interface unit 130 terminates a communication connection established with the mobile terminal 600. Accordingly, the wireless communication interface unit 130 performs transmission / reception of information with the mobile terminal 600 (in other words, wireless communication).

  The wired communication interface unit 140 terminates a communication connection established with the home gateway 200. Therefore, the wired communication interface unit 140 performs transmission / reception of information (in other words, wired communication) with the home gateway 200.

  The data bus 150 transmits information between the CPU 110, the memory 120, the wireless communication interface unit 130, and the wired communication interface unit 140.

(3) Configuration of Home Gateway With reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the home gateway 200 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the home gateway 200 of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the home gateway 200 includes a CPU 210, a memory 220, a wired communication interface unit 230, a wired communication interface unit 240, and a data bus 250.

  The CPU 210 is a control circuit that operates based on predetermined firmware or the like, and controls the operation of the entire home gateway 200.

  The memory 220 temporarily stores information used inside the home gateway 200, and stores a program (that is, firmware) for performing the operation as the home gateway 200. The memory 220 may further store information used when the home gateway 200 connects to the broadband network 300.

  The wired communication interface unit 230 terminates a communication connection established with the femtocell base station 100. Therefore, the wired communication interface unit 230 performs transmission / reception of information (in other words, wired communication) with the femtocell base station 100.

  The wired communication interface unit 240 terminates a communication connection established with the network device 400 via the broadband network 300. Therefore, the wired communication interface unit 240 performs transmission / reception of information with the network device 400 via the broadband network 300 (in other words, wired communication).

  The data bus 250 transmits information between the CPU 210, the memory 220, the wired communication interface unit 230, and the wired communication interface unit 240.

(4) Configuration of Network Device With reference to FIG. 4, the configuration of the network device 400 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the network device 400 according to the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the network device 400 includes a CPU 410, a memory 420, a wired communication interface unit 430, and a data bus 450.

  The CPU 410 is a control circuit that operates based on predetermined firmware or the like, and controls the operation of the entire network device 400.

  The CPU 410 includes an address acquisition unit 411 and an authentication processing unit 412 as physical, logical, or functional processing blocks realized therein.

  The address acquisition unit 411 acquires authentication information (that is, the MAC address of the home gateway 200 and the machine number information of the femtocell base station 100) transmitted when the femtocell base station 100 makes an authentication request.

  The authentication processing unit 412 authenticates the femtocell base station 100 based on the authentication information acquired by the address acquisition unit 411 and the address database 421 stored in the memory 420. In addition, the authentication processing unit 412 updates the address database 421 stored in the memory 420 using the authentication information acquired by the address acquisition unit 411 depending on the authentication result.

  The memory 420 temporarily stores information used inside the network device 400, and stores a program (that is, firmware) for performing the operation as the network device 400.

  The memory 420 stores an address database 421 therein. The address database 421 includes a record indicating a correspondence between the MAC address of the home gateway 200 and the machine number information of the femtocell base station 100 connected to the home gateway 200. The data structure of the address database 421 will be described later in detail (see FIG. 6).

  The wired communication interface unit 430 terminates a communication connection established with the home gateway 200 via the broadband network 300. Accordingly, the wired communication interface unit 430 performs transmission / reception of information to / from the home gateway 200 via the broadband network 300 (in other words, wired communication).

  The network device 400 further includes a wired communication interface unit that terminates a communication connection established with the mobile phone network 500 (or with any device via the mobile phone network 500). It may be.

  The data bus 450 transmits information between the CPU 410, the memory 420, and the wired communication interface unit 440.

(5) Operation Description With reference to FIG. 5, the flow of operation of the communication system 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the communication system 1 of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the address collection unit 111 included in the femtocell base station 100 collects the MAC address of the home gateway 200 to which the femtocell base station 100 is currently connected (step S101). The address collection unit 111 collects the MAC address of the home gateway 200 on the LAN (Local Area Network) side (that is, the MAC address on the femtocell base station 100 side, for example, the MAC address of the wired communication interface unit 230). Also good. Alternatively, the address collection unit 111 collects the WAN (Wide Area Network) side MAC address of the home gateway 200 (that is, the MAC address on the broadband network 300 side, for example, the MAC address of the wired communication interface unit 240). May be. The address collection unit 111 may collect the MAC address of the home gateway 200 using, for example, ARP (Address Resolution Protocol).

  Following the operation of step S101, before or after or in parallel, the address collection unit 111 included in the femtocell base station 100 collects the machine number information of the femtocell base station 100 (step S102). The address collection unit 111 may collect the device number information of the femtocell base station 100 by referring to the memory 120 (in other words, reading).

  Thereafter, the authentication processing unit 112 included in the femtocell base station 100 transmits an authentication request message for inquiring whether or not the femtocell base station 100 can be used to the network device 400 (step S103). At this time, the authentication processing unit 111 transmits authentication information including the MAC address of the home gateway 200 and the device number information of the femtocell base station 100 collected by the address collecting unit 111 to the network device 400. In other words, the authentication processing unit 111 transmits to the network device 400 an authentication request message including authentication information including the MAC address of the home gateway 200 collected by the address collecting unit 111 and the machine number information of the femtocell base station 100.

  In addition, the operation | movement of step S101 to step S103 may be started as a trigger that the femtocell base station 100 is newly connected to the home gateway 200. Or the authentication process part 111 may make an authentication request | requirement by making into a trigger that the power supply of the femtocell base station 100 switched from OFF to ON. As a scene where the femtocell base station 100 is newly connected to the home gateway 200 or the power of the femtocell base station 100 is switched from OFF to ON, for example, a scene where the femtocell base station 100 is being exchanged is an example. As assumed. Alternatively, for example, a scene where the femtocell base station 100 is relocated, a scene where the femtocell base station 100 is restarted, or an unintentional physical connection with the home gateway 200 As an example, it is assumed that the femtocell base station 100 that has been disconnected is reconnected to the home gateway 200.

  Alternatively, the operations from step S101 to step S103 may be started with an instruction from a worker in charge of performing some work using the femtocell base station 100 or a user of the femtocell base station 100 as a trigger. For example, the operations from step S101 to step S103 may be triggered by an instruction from a worker in charge of exchanging the femtocell base station 100.

  As a result, the network device 400 receives the authentication request message. The address acquisition unit 411 included in the network device 400 acquires authentication information (that is, the MAC address of the home gateway 200 and the machine number information of the femtocell base station 100) included in the authentication request message (step S401).

  Thereafter, the authentication processing unit 412 included in the network device 400 includes the MAC address of the home gateway 200 included in the authentication information acquired by the address acquisition unit 411 and the MAC registered in the address database 421 stored in the memory 420. The address is checked (step S402). That is, the authentication processing unit 412 collates with the address database 421 whether a MAC address that matches the MAC address of the home gateway 200 included in the authentication information is registered.

  The data structure of the address database 421 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a data structure diagram showing a data structure of the address database 421 that records the MAC address of the home gateway 200 and the machine number information of the femtocell base station 100 in association with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the address database 421 registers one or a plurality of records in which the MAC address of the home gateway 200 is associated with the machine number information of the femtocell base station 100 connected to the home gateway 200. is doing. For example, the address database 421 shown in FIG. 6 registers a record in which a MAC address “00: 01: 01: 01: 01: 01” and machine number information “XAB01010101” are associated with each other. This record indicates that the femtocell base station 100 having the machine number information “XAB01010101” is connected to the home gateway 200 having the MAC address “00: 01: 01: 01: 01: 01”. For example, the address database 421 illustrated in FIG. 6 registers a record in which a MAC address “10: 2A: 3F: 0: 98: FF” and machine number information “CXH22200000” are associated with each other. This record indicates that the femtocell base station 100 having the machine number information “CXH22200000” is connected to the home gateway 200 having the MAC address “10: 2A: 3F: 0: 98: FF”.

  For example, when the femtocell base station 100 is newly started to be used, a corresponding new record is registered in the address database 421. For example, when a user applies for a new use of the femtocell base station 100, a new record including the MAC address of the newly used femtocell base station 100 and the home gateway 200 to which the femtocell base station 100 is connected Is registered in the address database 421. Registration of such a new record is performed by, for example, a carrier that provides the femtocell base station 100 (in other words, a carrier that provides the mobile phone network 500).

  Further, the existing record registered in the address database 421 (that is, a new record once registered) is updated by an update operation described later (that is, a series of operations shown in FIG. 5, particularly the operation of step S404). Updated as appropriate.

  In FIG. 5 again, when it is determined that the MAC address that matches the MAC address of the home gateway 200 included in the authentication information is not registered in the address database 421 (step S403: No), the network device 400 The authentication processing unit 412 provided determines that authentication of the femtocell base station 100 that has transmitted the authentication information has failed. For example, when the operation illustrated in FIG. 5 is performed using the replacement of the femtocell base station 100 as a trigger, the authentication processing unit 412 determines that the replacement of the femtocell base station 100 is not valid. That is, the authentication processing unit 412 determines not to permit the use of the femtocell base station 100 that has transmitted the authentication information.

  In this case, the authentication processing unit 412 notifies the femtocell base station 100 that has transmitted the authentication information that the authentication has failed (step S406). As a result, the authentication processing unit 112 provided in the femtocell base station 100 that has transmitted the authentication information recognizes that the authentication has failed (step S104: No). Therefore, the femtocell base station 100 cannot transition to an available state, and as a result, cannot be used by the user of the mobile terminal 600. That is, the femtocell base station 100 cannot establish a communication connection with the mobile terminal 600.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the MAC address that matches the MAC address of the home gateway 200 included in the authentication information is registered in the address database 421 (step S403: Yes), the authentication provided in the network device 400 The processing unit 412 determines that the authentication of the femtocell base station 100 that has transmitted the authentication information is successful. For example, when the operation illustrated in FIG. 5 is performed using the replacement of the femtocell base station 100 as a trigger, the authentication processing unit 412 determines that the replacement of the femtocell base station 100 is valid. That is, the authentication processing unit 412 determines to permit the use of the femtocell base station 100 that has transmitted the authentication information.

  In this case, the authentication processing unit 412 specifies a record including a MAC address that matches the MAC address of the home gateway 200 included in the authentication information, from among one or more records registered in the address database 421. The authentication processing unit 412 overwrites the device number information of the identified record with the device number information of the femtocell base station 100 included in the authentication information (step S404). That is, the existing record registered in the address database 421 is updated.

  Further, the authentication processing unit 412 notifies the femtocell base station 100 that has transmitted the authentication information that the authentication has been successful (step S405). As a result, the authentication processing unit 112 included in the femtocell base station 100 that has transmitted the authentication information recognizes that the authentication has succeeded (step S104: Yes). Therefore, the femtocell base station 100 shifts to an available state (step S105) and is used by the user of the mobile terminal 600. That is, the femtocell base station 100 can establish a communication connection with the mobile terminal 600.

  Operation | movement of the communication system 1 of this embodiment demonstrated above is demonstrated, using a specific example of operation. For example, it is assumed that the femtocell base station 100X having the machine number information “XX” is connected to the home gateway 200 having the MAC address “xx” as an initial state. In this case, a record in which the machine number information “XX” and the MAC address “xx” are associated is registered in the address database 421.

  In such an initial state, the femtocell base station 100X having the machine number information “XX” is designated as the machine number information “YY” due to the failure of the femtocell base station 100X having the machine number information “XX”. An example of exchanging with a new femtocell base station 100Y having the above will be described. After the exchange to the new femtocell base station 100Y having the machine number information “YY” is completed, the exchanged femtocell base station 100Y includes the machine number information “YY” and the MAC address “xx”. Authentication information is transmitted to the network device 400. In this case, since the MAC address “xx” included in the authentication information is registered in the address database 421, authentication of the exchanged femtocell base station 100Y is successful. Thereafter, the record in which the machine number information “XX” and the MAC address “xx” are associated with each other uses the machine number information “YY” and “YY” included in the authentication information. xx "is updated to a record associated with the MAC address.

  On the other hand, in such an initial state, the machine number “XX” is assigned to the home gateway 200 having the MAC address “yy” to which the femtocell base station 100 has not been connected or allowed to be connected. An example of newly connecting the femtocell base station 100X having information will be described. That is, an example in which the femtocell base station 100X having the machine number information “XX” is connected to a home gateway 200 different from the home gateway 200 that is permitted to connect will be described. In this case, after the connection of the femtocell base station 100X having the machine number information “XX” is completed, the femtocell base station 100X receives the authentication information including the machine number information “XX” and the MAC address “yy”. Transmit to the network device 400. In this case, since the MAC address “yy” included in the authentication information is not registered in the address database 421, authentication of the femtocell base station 100X fails. Therefore, even if the femtocell base station 100X is connected to a home gateway 200 different from the home gateway 200 to which connection is permitted, the femtocell base station 100X cannot be used. In addition, the address database 421 is not updated.

  As described above, according to the communication system 1 of the present embodiment, when the femtocell base station 100 is connected to the home gateway 200, the network device 400 uses the authentication information transmitted from the femtocell base station 100. Based on this, the femtocell base station 100 can be authenticated and the address database 421 can be updated. More specifically, for example, at the time of replacement due to a failure or the like of the femtocell base station 100, the network device 400 changes the femtocell base station 100 based on the authentication information transmitted from the replaced femtocell base station 100. Authentication and address database 421 can be updated. That is, the network device 400 updates the address database 421 for managing the femtocell base station 100 without waiting for a telephone call or the like from a worker who replaces (or connects) the femtocell base station 100. can do. Therefore, appropriate or quick replacement of the femtocell base station 100 can be realized.

  Furthermore, according to the communication system 1 of the present embodiment, there is an advantage that unintended exchange of the femtocell base station 100 (for example, connection to the unintended home gateway 200) can be suitably prevented. .

  Note that the femtocell base station 100 may support plug and play. In the femtocell base station 100 that supports plug and play, it is recommended that the line with the home gateway 200 that terminates the broadband network 300 is an optical line because of technical specifications or due to manufacturer or carrier reasons. ing. This is because a technique for notifying the connection destination such as the network device 400 of the line ID, which is a service on the optical line side, is included in the specification as connection information used when obtaining a connection. That is, the femtocell base station 100 compatible with plug and play can be used by satisfying the specification that is an optical line and the line ID is notified. However, when the line between the femtocell base station 100 and the home gateway 200 is a metal line such as an xDSL line, the line ID may not be paid out unlike the optical line. For this reason, in the xDSL line, it is required to add a function that uses information other than the line ID as connection information or a function that pays out the line ID even in the xDSL line on the home gateway 200 side such as the network side or an xDSL modem. It is assumed that this is the case. However, according to the present embodiment, appropriate or quick replacement of the femtocell base station 100 can be realized without adding such a function.

  The operation illustrated in FIG. 5 is realized by performing communication between the femtocell base station 100 and the network device 400 via the home gateway 200 and the broadband network 300. Therefore, in order to realize at least the operation illustrated in FIG. 5, the communication system 1 may include the femtocell base station 100, the home gateway 200, the broadband network network 300, and the network device 400. In other words, the communication system 1 may not include the mobile phone network 500 and the mobile terminal 600 in order to realize at least the operation shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which the femtocell base station 100 is authenticated using the MAC address of the home gateway 200 and the machine number information of the femtocell base station 100. However, any information unique to the home gateway 200 (for example, an IP address or device ID) MAC address and any information unique to the femtocell base station 100 (for example, an IP address or device ID) is used. The cell base station 100 may be authenticated. That is, arbitrary information unique to the home gateway 200 may be used in addition to or instead of the MAC address of the home gateway 200. Similarly, arbitrary information unique to the femtocell base station 100 may be used in addition to or instead of the machine number information of the femtocell base station 100.

  FIG. 5 shows an example in which the MAC address of the home gateway 200 is verified and the address database 421 is updated at the timing when the femtocell base station 100 makes an authentication request. However, the MAC address of the home gateway 200 may be verified and the address database 421 may be updated at any timing other than the timing at which the femtocell base station 100 makes an authentication request. In this case, the femtocell base station 100 uses the message different from the authentication request message to send the above-described authentication information (that is, the MAC address of the home gateway 200 and the machine number information of the femtocell base station 100) to the network device 400. You may send it.

  Regarding the embodiment described above, the following additional notes are disclosed.

(Appendix 1)
A management device for managing a communication station connected to a network via a network connection device,
A storage unit that stores correspondence information that registers correspondence between first identification information for identifying the communication station and second identification information for identifying the network connection device to which the communication station is connected. When,
An acquisition unit for acquiring the first identification information of the communication station and the second identification information of the network connection device to which the communication station is connected, notified from the communication station;
A processing unit that performs authentication of the communication station based on the correspondence information stored in the storage unit and the first and second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit;
The processing unit updates the correspondence information using the first and second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit when the authentication of the communication station is successful.

(Appendix 2)
When the authentication of the communication station is successful, the processing unit acquires the first identification information corresponding to the second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit and included in the correspondence information. The management apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the correspondence information is updated so that the first identification information to be registered is registered.

(Appendix 3)
The processing unit determines that the authentication of the communication station has been successful when the second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit is registered in the correspondence information stored in the storage unit. The management apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2.

(Appendix 4)
The acquisition unit, when the new communication station is to be connected to the network connection device, is notified from the new communication station, the first identification information of the new communication station and the new The management device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein the second identification information of the network connection device to which a communication station is connected is acquired.

(Appendix 5)
When the authentication of the communication station is not successful, the processing unit does not update the association with the second identification information indicated by the correspondence information using the first identification information acquired by the acquisition unit. The management device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, characterized in that:

(Appendix 6)
The processing unit determines that the authentication of the communication station is not successful when the second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit is not registered in the correspondence information stored in the storage unit. The management device according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, characterized by:

(Appendix 7)
A communication station connected to a network via a network connection device,
A collection unit for collecting first identification information for identifying the communication station and second identification information for identifying the network connection apparatus to which the communication station is connected;
A communication station comprising: a notification unit that notifies the management device that manages the communication station of the first and second identification information collected by the collection unit.

(Appendix 8)
A network connection device;
A communication station connected to a network via the network connection device;
A communication system comprising: a management device that manages the communication station;
The communication station is
A notification unit for notifying the management device of first identification information for identifying the communication station and second identification information for identifying the network connection device to which the communication station is connected;
The management device
A storage unit that stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence between the first identification information and the second identification information;
An acquisition unit for acquiring the first identification information and the second identification information notified from the communication station;
A processing unit that performs authentication of the communication station based on the correspondence information stored in the storage unit and the first and second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit;
When the authentication of the communication station is successful, the processing unit updates the correspondence information using the first and second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit.

(Appendix 9)
A management device that manages a communication station connected to a network via a network connection device, and identifies first identification information for identifying the communication station and the network connection device to which the communication station is connected A management method of the communication station by a management device including a storage unit that stores correspondence information indicating correspondence with second identification information for
Obtaining the first identification information of the communication station and the second identification information of the network connection device to which the communication station is connected, notified from the communication station;
A processing step of performing authentication of the communication station based on the correspondence information stored in the storage unit and the first and second identification information acquired in the acquisition step.
In the management method, when the authentication of the communication station is successful, the processing information is updated using the first and second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification. A method, a communication station, and a communication system are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 Communication System 100 Femtocell Base Station 110 CPU
111 Address Collection Unit 112 Authentication Processing Unit 120 Memory 121 Machine Number Information 200 Home Gateway 300 Broadband Network Network 400 Femtocell Network Device 410 CPU
411 Address acquisition unit 412 Authentication processing unit 420 Memory 421 Address database

Claims (7)

A management device for managing a communication station connected to a network via a network connection device,
A storage unit that stores correspondence information that registers correspondence between first identification information for identifying the communication station and second identification information for identifying the network connection device to which the communication station is connected. When,
An acquisition unit for acquiring the first identification information of the communication station and the second identification information of the network connection device to which the communication station is connected, notified from the communication station;
A processing unit that performs authentication of the communication station based on the correspondence information stored in the storage unit and the first and second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit;
The processing unit updates the correspondence information using the first and second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit when the authentication of the communication station is successful. When the authentication of the communication station is successful, the processing unit acquires the first identification information corresponding to the second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit and included in the correspondence information. The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correspondence information is updated so that the first identification information to be registered is registered. The processing unit determines that the authentication of the communication station has been successful when the second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit is registered in the correspondence information stored in the storage unit. The management device according to claim 1 or 2. The acquisition unit, when the new communication station is to be connected to the network connection device, is notified from the new communication station, the first identification information of the new communication station and the new The management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second identification information of the network connection apparatus to which a communication station is connected is acquired. A communication station connected to a network via a network connection device,
A collection unit for collecting first identification information for identifying the communication station and second identification information for identifying the network connection apparatus to which the communication station is connected;
A communication station comprising: a notification unit that notifies the management device that manages the communication station of the first and second identification information collected by the collection unit. A network connection device;
A communication station connected to a network via the network connection device;
A communication system comprising: a management device that manages the communication station;
The communication station is
A notification unit for notifying the management device of first identification information for identifying the communication station and second identification information for identifying the network connection device to which the communication station is connected;
The management device
A storage unit that stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence between the first identification information and the second identification information;
An acquisition unit for acquiring the first identification information and the second identification information notified from the communication station;
A processing unit that performs authentication of the communication station based on the correspondence information stored in the storage unit and the first and second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit;
When the authentication of the communication station is successful, the processing unit updates the correspondence information using the first and second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit. A management device that manages a communication station connected to a network via a network connection device, and identifies first identification information for identifying the communication station and the network connection device to which the communication station is connected A management method of the communication station by a management device including a storage unit that stores correspondence information indicating correspondence with second identification information for
Obtaining the first identification information of the communication station and the second identification information of the network connection device to which the communication station is connected, notified from the communication station;
A processing step of performing authentication of the communication station based on the correspondence information stored in the storage unit and the first and second identification information acquired in the acquisition step.
The processing step comprises: updating the correspondence information using the first and second identification information acquired by the acquisition unit when the authentication of the communication station is successful. .

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