JP2013126159A - Network system and control method for network apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress power consumption required for packet processing of a network apparatus in a power saving mode.SOLUTION: When a first packet including a network apparatus as a destination is received, a network switch superposes a start signal indicating starting of packet processing means on a feeding voltage through a cable and transmits the start signal to the network apparatus. The network apparatus detects a start signal from the feeding voltage to start packet processing means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a network system including a network switch and a network device connected to the network switch via a network cable. In particular, the present invention relates to power saving of a network system that supplies power from a network switch to a network device in addition to packet transmission via a network cable.

  For example, Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technique for transmitting packets through an Ethernet (registered trademark) twisted pair cable and supplying power. By using this type of technology, it is possible to supply power from a network switch via a network cable to a network device installed in a place where power supply is difficult.

  A network system 5 which is a general system of this type will be described with reference to FIG. In the network system 5, a LAN device 7 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) switch 6 via a cable 8. This type of technology is described in Patent Document 1, for example.

  The LAN switch 6 includes a LAN interface 61 connected to the upstream LAN and a LAN interface 62 connected to the LAN device 8, and relays packets between the upstream network and the LAN device 8 under the control of the LAN controller 63. The LAN switch 6 includes a power feeding circuit 64. The power supply circuit 64 supplies power to the LAN device 7 via the LAN interface 62 and the cable 8.

  The LAN device 7 includes a LAN block 71 and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 72. The LAN block 71 divides data to be transmitted into a plurality of packets, transmits the packets to the LAN switch 6, and performs processing such as restoring the original data from the received packets.

  As a technique for reducing power consumption in the LAN device 7 in the network system 5, elements other than the LAN block 71 of the LAN device 7, for example, the operation of the CPU 72 is stopped and the LAN block 71 is operated. When the LAN controller 74 detects that the packet is received, there is an operation mode in which the LAN controller 74 activates the CPU 72 or the like, that is, a power saving mode. In such a system, since only the LAN block 71 needs to be operated in the power saving mode, power consumption can be reduced compared to the normal mode in which the entire LAN device 7 is activated.

  However, in other words, the LAN block 71 must always be activated. In general, the active LAN block receives not only packets addressed to itself but also packets addressed to other devices in the same LAN, and always monitors whether the packet is addressed to the own device. Therefore, every time a packet flows through the LAN regardless of the destination, the LAN block consumes power for packet processing.

  Further, in this type of power saving mode, when the activation packet is received, the CPU 72 that has been stopped according to the instruction of the LAN controller 74 is activated, and after the operating system is started up, the LAN device 7 returns to a normal state. Since it shifts, it takes a certain amount of time to shift from the power saving mode to the normal mode. Because of such a time lag, this type of technology is difficult to apply to LAN devices that require quick response to inquiries from the network, such as IP telephone terminals.

JP2007-281628A

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a problem to be solved by the present invention is to suppress power consumption required for packet processing in a network device in a power saving mode.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides, as one aspect thereof, a network system including a network switch, a network device, a cable connecting the network switch, and the network device, wherein the cable includes the network A transmission medium for transmitting packets between the switch and the network device; and a transmission medium for transmitting power supplied from the network switch to the network device, wherein the network device transmits a packet to be transmitted via the cable. Packet processing means for processing, and the network switch sends an activation signal, which is a signal for instructing activation of the packet processing means, in response to reception of the first packet including the network device as a destination. Salary through A network comprising means for superimposing on a voltage and transmitting to the network device, wherein the network device further comprises means for detecting the activation signal from the power supply voltage and activating the packet processing means. Provide a system.

  In another aspect, the present invention provides power supply for supplying power via a cable to a network device connected via a cable including a transmission medium for transmitting a packet and a transmission medium for transmitting power. And, in response to reception of the first packet including the network device as a destination, generates an activation signal that is a signal instructing the network device to activate a packet processing unit that processes the packet, And a means for superimposing the activation signal on a power supply voltage via the cable and transmitting the superimposed signal to the network device.

  Furthermore, as another aspect, the present invention is connected to a network switch via a cable including a transmission medium for transmitting a packet and a transmission medium for transmitting electric power, and between the network switch via the cable. A network device that transmits a packet and receives power supply from the network switch via the cable, the packet processing means for processing the packet transmitted via the cable, and the network device as a destination In response to the network switch receiving the first packet including the signal, the network switch transmits a signal superimposed on the power supply voltage via the cable, and is a signal instructing activation of the packet processing means. A start signal is detected from the supply voltage, and the packet processing is performed. To provide a network device, characterized in that it comprises a means for activating the means.

  Furthermore, as another aspect, the present invention is connected to a network switch via a cable having a conductive wire as a transmission medium, and transmits / receives a packet to / from the network switch via the cable, and via the cable The network switch receives a first packet including a network device that receives power supplied from the network switch as a destination, and an activation signal that is a signal instructing activation of packet processing means of the network device, Superimposing on the power supply voltage via the cable and transmitting from the network switch to the network device; detecting the start signal from the power supply voltage by the network device; and depending on detection of the start signal The network device activates the packet processing means A control method of a network apparatus which comprises a floor.

  According to the present invention, the network switch transmits an activation signal to the network device in response to reception of the packet addressed to the network device. In response to the activation signal, the network device activates the packet processing means.

1 is a block diagram of a network system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the network system 1; It is an example of the voltage fluctuation command which the voltage fluctuation command generation circuit 25 produces | generates. It is a block diagram of the conventional network system 5. FIG.

  A network system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The network system 1 includes a LAN switch 2, a LAN device 3, and a cable 4.

  The LAN switch 2 is a network switch and is a device that switches a packet transfer destination in a computer network. Examples of the LAN switch 2 that can be used include a hub, a bridge, a router, a switching hub, and a layer 3 switch. The LAN switch 2 includes LAN interfaces 21 and 22, a LAN controller 23, a power feeding circuit 24, and a voltage variation command generation circuit 25.

  The LAN interface 21 is connected to the upstream LAN. The LAN interface 22 is connected to the LAN device 3 via the cable 4, performs packet transmission with the LAN device 3 via the cable 4, and transmits power to the LAN device 3.

  In addition to the function as a general LAN controller, the LAN controller 23 determines whether a packet received from an upstream packet via the LAN interface 21 is a stopped LAN device connected under the LAN switch 2. If it is determined that the packet is addressed to the stopped LAN device, a command generation command is sent to the voltage fluctuation command generation circuit 25. This command generation command instructs the voltage variation command generation circuit 25 to generate a start command as a voltage variation command.

  The power supply circuit 24 is a circuit that supplies power to the LAN device 3 via the LAN interface 22 and the cable 4.

  The voltage fluctuation command generation circuit 25 generates a voltage fluctuation command in response to a command generation command from the LAN controller 23. The voltage variation command generated here is an activation command that instructs the LAN device 3 to activate a LAN block 31 described later.

  As a device considered as the LAN device 3, there are various devices that perform packet transmission via the cable 4 and receive voltage reception. For example, an IP telephone terminal, a web camera, a switching hub, a wireless LAN access point, etc. can be considered as the LAN device 3. The LAN device 3 includes a LAN block 31, a CPU 32, and a voltage variation command detection circuit 33.

  The operation mode of the LAN device 3 includes a normal mode and a power saving mode. When in the normal mode, both the LAN block 31 and the CPU 32 are activated. When in the power saving mode, the LAN block 31 is basically stopped and the CPU 32 is activated. However, when the activation command is received from the LAN switch 2, the LAN block 31 is temporarily activated to receive a packet, As soon as the CPU 32 completes processing corresponding to the packet, the LAN block 31 is stopped again. Since the CPU 32 is operating even in the power saving mode, the power feeding circuit 24 supplies power even when the LAN device 3 is in the power saving mode.

  The LAN block 31 includes a LAN interface 34 and a LAN controller 35. The LAN interface 34 transmits packets and receives power supply with the LAN interface 22 facing each other via the cable 4. The LAN interface 34 passes the received packet to the LAN controller 35, while passing the received voltage to the voltage fluctuation command detection circuit 33. When the LAN controller 35 receives a LAN activation command from the voltage variation command detection circuit 33 while the LAN block 31 is stopped, the LAN controller 35 activates the LAN block 31 accordingly. Further, when a LAN stop command is received from the CPU 32 while the LAN block 31 is activated, the LAN controller 35 stops the LAN block 31 accordingly.

  The CPU 32 controls the operation of the entire LAN device 3. In addition, when the CPU 32 completes the processing related to the packet received via the LAN block 31 temporarily activated during the power saving mode, the CPU 32 sends a LAN stop command to the LAN block 31. The LAN stop command is a command for requesting the LAN block 31 to stop.

  The voltage fluctuation command detection circuit 33 monitors the received voltage received via the LAN interface 34. When it is detected that the voltage fluctuation command is superimposed on the received voltage, the voltage fluctuation command detection circuit 33 interprets the voltage fluctuation command and performs an operation according to the content. When the detected voltage fluctuation command is a startup command, the voltage fluctuation command detection circuit 33 sends a LAN startup command to the LAN controller 35 and the CPU 32.

  The cable 4 is a cable including both a transmission medium for packet transmission and a transmission medium for power transmission.

  Next, the operation of the network system 1 when the LAN device 3 is in the power saving mode and the LAN switch 2 receives the packet P1 destined for the LAN device 3 from the upstream LAN will be described with reference to FIG. Since the LAN device 3 is in the power saving mode, the LAN block 31 is stopped at the first time, while the CPU 32 is activated.

  In the LAN switch 2, when the LAN interface 21 receives the packet P1 from the upstream LAN (step S1), the LAN controller 23 determines whether or not the LAN device 3 is included in the destination of the packet P1 (step S2). Here, since the LAN device 3 is included in the destination of the packet P1, the LAN controller 23 issues a command generation instruction for instructing the voltage fluctuation command generation circuit 25 to generate the voltage fluctuation command “start command”. Then, it is sent to the voltage fluctuation command generation circuit 25 (step S3). In response to this command, the voltage fluctuation command generation circuit 25 generates a start command, superimposes it on the power supply voltage from the power supply circuit 24 (step S4), and outputs the voltage via the LAN interface 22, the cable 4, and the LAN interface 34. Transmit to the fluctuation command detection circuit 33.

  In the LAN device 3, the voltage variation command detection circuit 33 detects a start command (step S5), and transmits a LAN start command to the LAN controller 35 and the CPU 32 (step S6). In response to this command, the LAN controller 35 activates the currently stopped LAN block 31, and shifts to a state where packets can be received (step S7). When the CPU 32 has the power saving mode and is actually in the power saving mode, the CPU 32 may shift to the normal mode in response to the LAN activation command. In response to the LAN activation command, the LAN controller 35 or the CPU 32 may transmit a packet P2 for notifying the LAN switch 2 that the LAN block 31 has been activated from the LAN interface 34.

  In the LAN switch 2 again, when the LAN controller 23 recognizes that the LAN block 31 has been activated (step S8), the packet P1 received from the upstream LAN in step S1 is transmitted via the LAN interface 22 and the cable 4 to the LAN. It transmits to the interface 34 (step S9). As a method for the LAN controller 23 to recognize the activation of the LAN block 31 in step S8, the above-described packet P2 may be recognized when the LAN interface 22 receives it from the LAN interface 34, or an activation command is transmitted. Thereafter, it may be recognized that the LAN block 31 is activated after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In the LAN device 3 again, when the LAN block 31 receives the packet P1, returns the packet to the data before being packetized, and passes it to the CPU 32 (step S10), the CPU 32 executes processing related to the data. (Step S11). As an example of this process, when the LAN device 3 is an IP telephone terminal and the packet P1 is a connection request, there is one call started in response to the connection request and a communication process associated with this call. When this process ends (step S12), the CPU 32 sends a LAN stop command to the LAN block 31 (step S13). Receiving the LAN stop command, the LAN controller 35 stops the LAN block 31 again (step S14).

  A voltage fluctuation command generated by the voltage fluctuation command generation circuit 25 will be described. It is generally expected that noise is generated in the external environment of the network system 1 and the internal environment of the LAN switch 2 and the LAN device 3 and mixed into the power supply voltage. In order to prevent such malfunction due to noise, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable to use a waveform that does not frequently occur due to noise or the like as the voltage variation command.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated according to embodiment, the above-mentioned embodiment is an illustration and this invention is not limited to these. For example, in the power saving mode of the above-described embodiment, the LAN block is stopped and the CPU operates. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and both the LAN block and the CPU stop. It is good also as a mode. In this case, although it takes time to shift from the power saving mode to the normal mode, further power saving can be achieved.

  Part or all of the above embodiments and examples can be described as the following supplementary notes, but are not limited thereto.

(Appendix 1)
A network system comprising a network switch, a network device, a cable connecting the network switch and the network device,
The cable includes a transmission medium for transmitting packets between the network switch and the network device, and a transmission medium for transmitting power supplied from the network switch to the network device,
The network device includes a packet processing means for processing a packet transmitted through the cable,
The network switch superimposes an activation signal, which is a signal for instructing activation of the packet processing means, on a power supply voltage via the cable in response to reception of a first packet including the network device as a destination, Means for transmitting to the network device;
The network system further comprises means for detecting the activation signal from the power supply voltage and activating the packet processing means.

(Appendix 2)
The network system according to appendix 1, wherein the network switch transmits the first packet to the network device in response to a predetermined trigger indicating that the packet processing unit is activated.

(Appendix 3)
The network device further comprises means for transmitting to the network switch a second packet notifying that the packet processing means has been activated in response to the activation signal,
3. The network system according to appendix 2, wherein the network switch further includes means for transmitting the first packet to the network device upon reception of the second packet.

(Appendix 4)
The network system according to any one of Supplementary Note 2 and Supplementary Note 3, wherein the network device further includes means for executing processing according to the content of the first packet received from the network switch.

(Appendix 5)
The network system according to appendix 4, wherein the network device further includes means for stopping the packet processing means in response to completion of processing relating to the first packet.

(Appendix 6)
The network device includes information processing means different from the packet processing means,
The network system according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 5, wherein power supply to the information processing unit is continued regardless of whether the packet processing unit is activated or stopped.

(Appendix 7)
Power supply means for supplying power via a cable to a network device connected via a cable comprising a transmission medium for transmitting packets and a transmission medium for transmitting power;
In response to receiving the first packet including the network device as a destination, the network device generates an activation signal which is a signal for instructing the network device to activate a packet processing unit, and processes the cable. And a means for superimposing the activation signal on the power supply voltage via the power supply voltage and transmitting the superimposed signal to the network device.

(Appendix 8)
The network switch according to appendix 7, wherein the network switch transmits the first packet to the network device in response to a predetermined trigger indicating that the packet processing means is activated.

(Appendix 9)
Means for receiving from the network device a second packet notifying that the packet processing means is activated in response to the activation signal;
9. The network switch according to appendix 8, further comprising means for transmitting the first packet to the network device upon reception of the second packet.

(Appendix 10)
Appendix 7 wherein the power supply unit supplies power to an information processing unit different from the packet processing unit of the network device regardless of whether the packet processing unit is activated or stopped. Thru | or the network switch in any one of attachment 9.

(Appendix 11)
Connected to a network switch via a cable having a transmission medium for transmitting packets and a transmission medium for transmitting power, and transmits packets to and from the network switch via the cables, and via the cables A network device that receives power from the network switch,
Packet processing means for processing packets transmitted through the cable;
In response to the network switch receiving the first packet including the network device as a destination, the network switch transmits a signal superimposed on a power supply voltage via the cable, the packet processing unit A network device comprising: means for detecting an activation signal, which is a signal for instructing activation, from the power supply voltage and activating the packet processing means.

(Appendix 12)
The network apparatus according to appendix 11, further comprising means for transmitting to the network switch a second packet notifying that the packet processing means is activated in response to the activation signal.

(Appendix 13)
13. The network device according to any one of appendix 11 and appendix 12, further comprising means for executing processing according to the content of the first packet received from the network switch.

(Appendix 14)
14. The network device according to appendix 13, further comprising means for stopping the packet processing means upon completion of processing relating to the first packet.

(Appendix 15)
Comprising information processing means different from the packet processing means,
15. The network device according to any one of appendix 11 to appendix 14, wherein power is supplied to the information processing unit regardless of whether the packet processing unit is activated or stopped.

(Appendix 16)
A network that is connected to a network switch via a cable having a conducting wire as a transmission medium, transmits and receives packets to and from the network switch via the cable, and receives power supply from the network switch via the cable Receiving a first packet including a device as a destination by the network switch;
A step of superimposing a start signal, which is a signal for instructing start of packet processing means of the network device, on a power supply voltage via the cable, and transmitting the network switch to the network device;
The network device detecting the activation signal from the supply voltage;
And a step of activating the packet processing means by the network device in response to detection of the activation signal.

(Appendix 17)
The method according to appendix 16, wherein the network switch transmits the first packet to the network device in response to a predetermined trigger indicating that the packet processing means is activated.

(Appendix 18)
Further comprising the step of transmitting from the network device to the network switch a second packet notifying that the packet processing means has been activated in response to the activation signal,
The method according to appendix 17, wherein the network switch transmits the first packet to the network device with the reception of the second packet as the trigger.

(Appendix 19)
The method according to any one of appendix 17 and appendix 18, further comprising a step in which the network device that has received the first packet executes a process according to the content of the first packet.

(Appendix 20)
The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of stopping the packet processing means in response to completion of processing relating to the first packet.

(Appendix 21)
21. The method according to any one of appendix 16 to appendix 20, wherein power supply to the CPU of the network device is continued regardless of whether the packet processing means is activated or stopped.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network system 2 LAN switch 3 LAN apparatus 4 Cable 21, 22, 34 LAN interface 23, 35 LAN controller 24 Power supply circuit 25 Voltage fluctuation command generation circuit 31 LAN block 32 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
33 Voltage fluctuation command detection circuit

Claims (10)

A network system comprising a network switch, a network device, a cable connecting the network switch and the network device,
The cable includes a transmission medium for transmitting packets between the network switch and the network device, and a transmission medium for transmitting power supplied from the network switch to the network device,
The network device includes a packet processing means for processing a packet transmitted through the cable,
The network switch superimposes an activation signal, which is a signal for instructing activation of the packet processing means, on a power supply voltage via the cable in response to reception of a first packet including the network device as a destination, Means for transmitting to the network device;
The network system further comprises means for detecting the activation signal from the power supply voltage and activating the packet processing means.   The network system according to claim 1, wherein the network switch transmits the first packet to the network device in response to a predetermined trigger indicating that the packet processing unit is activated. The network device further comprises means for transmitting to the network switch a second packet notifying that the packet processing means has been activated in response to the activation signal,
The network system according to claim 2, wherein the network switch further includes means for transmitting the first packet to the network device upon reception of the second packet.   4. The network system according to claim 2, wherein the network device further includes means for executing processing according to the content of the first packet received from the network switch. 5.   The network system according to claim 4, wherein the network device further includes a unit that stops the packet processing unit in response to the end of the processing related to the first packet. The network device includes information processing means different from the packet processing means,
6. The network system according to claim 1, wherein power supply to the information processing unit is continued regardless of whether the packet processing unit is activated or stopped. Power supply means for supplying power via a cable to a network device connected via a cable comprising a transmission medium for transmitting packets and a transmission medium for transmitting power;
In response to receiving the first packet including the network device as a destination, the network device generates an activation signal which is a signal for instructing the network device to activate a packet processing unit, and processes the cable. And a means for superimposing the activation signal on the power supply voltage via the power supply voltage and transmitting the superimposed signal to the network device.   8. The network switch according to claim 7, wherein the network switch transmits the first packet to the network device in response to a predetermined trigger indicating that the packet processing unit is activated. Connected to a network switch via a cable having a transmission medium for transmitting packets and a transmission medium for transmitting power, and transmits packets to and from the network switch via the cables, and via the cables A network device that receives power from the network switch,
Packet processing means for processing packets transmitted through the cable;
In response to the network switch receiving the first packet including the network device as a destination, the network switch transmits a signal superimposed on a power supply voltage via the cable, the packet processing unit A network device comprising: means for detecting an activation signal, which is a signal for instructing activation, from the power supply voltage and activating the packet processing means. A network that is connected to a network switch via a cable having a conducting wire as a transmission medium, transmits and receives packets to and from the network switch via the cable, and receives power supply from the network switch via the cable Receiving a first packet including a device as a destination by the network switch;
A step of superimposing a start signal, which is a signal for instructing start of packet processing means of the network device, on a power supply voltage via the cable, and transmitting the network switch to the network device;
The network device detecting the activation signal from the supply voltage;
And a step of activating the packet processing means by the network device in response to detection of the activation signal.

Images