JP2016105563A - Communication device, communication method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow for more transmission of data on an existing data communication network.SOLUTION: A communication device (10) comprises a processing unit (11) that configures a pack-frame in which a plurality of frames are stored and a transmission unit (12) which transmits the pack-frame to another transmission device. When configuring a pack-frame, the processing unit (11) deletes the same additional information which is common to a plurality of frames from each packet and stores the plurality of frames from which the same additional information was deleted and the sharable additional information into the pack-frame.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device, a communication method, and a program, and more particularly, to a communication device, a communication method, and a program that transmit data in a frame format.

  A communication device that performs data communication via an Ethernet (registered trademark) network assigns data to an Ethernet frame and performs transmission. Further, the communication apparatus normally performs data transmission processing for each application (web, mail, etc.). Therefore, in the communication apparatus, even when data is transmitted to the same destination, if the application using the data is different, the data is allocated to different Ethernet frames and transmitted. As a result, the number of Ethernet frames increases.

  As related techniques, Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe a technique of generating a frame by concatenating a plurality of packets having the same destination. According to the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the number of frames can be reduced. Note that the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 determine the number of packets to be linked to a frame according to the communication status.

JP-T-2006-526369 JP 2009-010552 A

  By the way, recently, since the communication amount of data communication is increasing, the capacity expansion of the data communication network is indispensable. However, for this purpose, the cost of capital investment increases. Therefore, in order to suppress the cost of capital investment, it is desired to increase the bandwidth available on the existing data communication network so that more data can be transmitted. However, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above determine the number of packets connected according to the communication status. Therefore, in order to increase the bandwidth that can be used on the data communication network, it is necessary to reduce the number of connected packets, that is, to reduce the data itself, and to transmit more data on the data communication network. It does not meet the above requirements.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device, a communication method, and a program that can solve the above-described problems and can transmit more data on an existing data communication network.

  In one aspect, the communication device includes a processing unit that builds a pack frame that stores a plurality of frames, and a communication unit that transmits the pack frame to another communication device. When constructing the packed frame, the processing unit deletes the same additional information from each of the plurality of frames, and the plurality of frames after the same additional information is deleted. The same additional information is stored in the pack frame.

  In one aspect, a communication method by a communication device includes a construction step of constructing a pack frame storing a plurality of frames, and a transmission step of transmitting the pack frame to another communication device. In the construction step, the same additional information is deleted from each of the plurality of frames, the plurality of frames after the same additional information is deleted, and the same additional information Are stored in the pack frame.

  In one aspect, the program causes a computer to execute a construction procedure for constructing a pack frame storing a plurality of frames, and a transmission procedure for transmitting the pack frame to another communication device. In the construction procedure, the same additional information is deleted from each of the plurality of frames, the plurality of frames after the same additional information is deleted, and the same additional information Are stored in the pack frame.

  According to the above-described aspect, there is an effect that more data can be transmitted on the existing data communication network.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the communication system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the communication apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the frame structure of the Ethernet frame defined by IEEE802.3. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the DATA field in the pack frame which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame structure of the pack frame of the pack format 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame structure of the pack frame of the pack format 2 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame structure of the pack frame of the pack format 3 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame structure of the pack frame of the pack format 4 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an Ethernet frame transmission process according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the allocation process of the pack frame information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the initialization process of the pack frame information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the update process of the pack frame information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the transmission process of the pack frame which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the update process of the next starting time of the delay monitoring timer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the delay monitoring process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an Ethernet frame reception process according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the communication system which concerns on other embodiment.

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

(1) First Embodiment (1-1) Configuration of First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a communication system according to the present embodiment. The communication system shown in FIG. 1 includes communication devices 10-1 and 10-2 connected to each other via an Ethernet network 20. When the communication device 10-1 transmits a plurality of Ethernet frames to the communication device 10-2, the communication device 10-1 constructs a pack frame that is an Ethernet frame obtained by combining the plurality of Ethernet frames into one, and transmits the pack frame. . When the communication device 10-2 receives a pack frame from the communication device 10-1, the communication device 10-2 releases the pack frame and restores the original plurality of Ethernet frames.

  1 illustrates an example in which the communication device 10-1 is the transmission side and the communication device 10-2 is the reception side, but the communication devices 10-1 and 10-2 are the transmission side. Can also be the receiving side. Moreover, in FIG. 1, although the example containing the two communication apparatuses 10-1 and 10-2 is shown, the number of communication apparatuses is not limited to this, What is necessary is just two or more. Hereinafter, the communication devices 10-1 and 10-2 are referred to as the communication device 10 when not specified.

  When transmitting a plurality of Ethernet frames to another communication device 10, the communication device 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to construct a pack frame in which the plurality of Ethernet frames are combined into one. Specifically, the communication device 10 deletes the same additional information (destination address, transmission source address, preamble, etc.) from the plurality of Ethernet frames. Further, the communication device 10 stores a plurality of Ethernet frames after the same additional information is deleted and the same additional information in a pack frame. Then, the communication device 10 transmits the constructed pack frame to another communication device 10.

  As described above, the communication device 10 of this embodiment does not delete the data itself from the pack frame, but deletes the same and redundant additional information between the plurality of Ethernet frames. As a result, it is possible to reduce the bandwidth on the Ethernet network 20 used for transmitting the redundant additional information. Therefore, for example, the reduced bandwidth can be used for data transmission by another Ethernet frame, and more data can be transmitted on the existing Ethernet network 20.

  Below, the specific example of a structure and operation | movement of the communication apparatus 10 is further demonstrated. FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the communication apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The communication device 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a processing unit 11 and a communication unit 12. When transmitting a plurality of Ethernet frames to another communication device 10, the processing unit 11 constructs a pack frame in which the plurality of Ethernet frames are combined into one. Specifically, the processing unit 11 deletes the same additional information (destination address, transmission source address, preamble, etc.) in the plurality of Ethernet frames from each of the plurality of Ethernet frames. Then, the processing unit 11 stores the plurality of Ethernet frames after the same additional information is deleted and the same additional information in the pack frame. The communication unit 12 transmits the pack frame constructed by the processing unit 11 to another communication device 10.

  In addition, the communication unit 12 receives a pack frame from another communication device 10. The processing unit 11 releases the pack frame received by the communication unit 12 from the other communication device 10 and restores the original plurality of Ethernet frames. Specifically, the processing unit 11 stores the same additional information stored in the pack frame in each of the plurality of Ethernet frames stored in the pack frame. As a result, the original plurality of Ethernet frames are restored.

  In the pack frame, the storage location of the same additional information is not particularly limited. Here, the additional information is stored in the header of the Ethernet frame. Therefore, for example, the pack frame may be in the same frame format as the Ethernet frame, and the additional information may be stored in the header in the same manner even in the pack frame. In this case, when the pack frame is constructed, the processing unit 11 deletes the same additional information from the headers of the plurality of Ethernet frames. Then, the processing unit 11 stores the plurality of Ethernet frames after the same additional information is deleted in the payload of the pack frame, and stores the same additional information in the header of the pack frame. Further, when releasing the pack frame, the processing unit 11 stores the same additional information stored in the header of the pack frame in each header of the plurality of Ethernet frames stored in the payload of the pack frame. As a result, the original plurality of Ethernet frames are restored.

  FIG. 3 shows a frame structure of an Ethernet frame defined by IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3. The frame structure of the Ethernet frame in the DIX (DEC-Intel-Xerox) format is basically the same. As shown in FIG. 3, an Ethernet frame defined by IEEE 802.3 is composed of a 7-byte PREAMBLE field, a 1-byte SFD (Start Frame Delimiter) field, a 6-byte DA (Destination Address) field from the top. A structure in which a 6-byte SA (Source Address) field, a 2-byte TL (Type / Length) field, a 46 to 1500-byte DATA field, and a 4-byte FCS (Frame check sequence) field are arranged It has become. In FIG. 3, the DATA field corresponds to the payload, and the field before the DATA field corresponds to the header (the same applies to FIGS. 5 to 8 described later).

  The PREAMBLE field is a field for synchronizing with the communication apparatus of the communication destination. The SFD field is a field for indicating that a DA field follows. The DA field is a field in which the value of the destination address (DA) of the Ethernet frame is stored. The SA field is a field in which the value of the source address (SA) of the Ethernet frame is stored. The TL field is a field in which a value for identifying the type and length of the Ethernet frame is stored. The DATA field is a field in which data is stored. The FCS field is a field for storing an FCS value used for checking an Ethernet frame error.

  In the present embodiment, when transmitting a plurality of Ethernet frames, the communication device 10 constructs a pack frame in which they are combined into one. The pack frame is also an ordinary Ethernet frame, and the frame structure of the pack frame is basically the same as that of the Ethernet frame. Therefore, if it is not necessary to take out the Ethernet frame stored in the pack frame, the pack frame can be handled in the same manner as a normal Ethernet frame. The plurality of Ethernet frames are stored in the DATA field (payload) of the pack frame.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the data structure of the DATA field in a pack frame storing n (n is a natural number of 2 or more) Ethernet frames. In the example of FIG. 4, a pack format field of 2 bytes is arranged at the head of the DATA field of the pack frame. The pack format field stores a value for identifying the pack format. The pack format value corresponds to a pack generation condition value that is a condition for determining whether or not to store an Ethernet frame in a pack frame. Following the pack format field, for each of n Ethernet frames stored in the pack frame, a 2-byte FLEN field storing the length value of the Ethernet frame, and data and information of the Ethernet frame are stored. And a variable length FDATA field. When the value of FLEN in the FDATA field is 0, it is special, and after that, no Ethernet frame information is stored. There is no FDATA field after the FDATA field whose FLEN value is 0. Hereinafter, various pack frames will be described.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a frame structure of a pack frame in which n Ethernet frames are stored under the pack generation condition that DA and SA match a specific value, respectively (this pack frame). Is pack format 1). In the example of FIG. 5, in the case of the pack format 1, the DA (P1) field and the SA (P1) field of the pack frame respectively store specific values of DA and SA defined by the pack generation conditions. The TL (P1) field of the pack frame stores an Ethernet type value (number system managed by IEEE, the same applies hereinafter) indicating that the Ethernet frame type is a pack frame according to the present embodiment. In the case of the pack format 1, DA and SA of n Ethernet frames are the same as the values of the pack frame. Therefore, in addition to the preamble, DA and SA can be deleted in the FDATA field of each of the n Ethernet frames.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a frame structure of a pack frame in which DA matches with a specific value as a pack generation condition and n Ethernet frames are stored under the pack generation condition (this pack frame is a pack format). 2). In the example of FIG. 6, in the case of the pack format 2, the DA (P2) field of the pack frame stores a specific value of DA defined by the pack generation condition. SA can take a different value for every n Ethernet frames. Therefore, in the SA (P2) field of the pack frame, the SA (1) of the Ethernet frame stored first is stored, or a value set in advance by the user is stored. The TL (P2) field of the pack frame stores an Ethernet type value indicating that the Ethernet frame type is a pack frame according to the present embodiment. In the case of the pack format 2, the DA of n Ethernet frames is the same as the value of the pack frame. Therefore, in addition to the preamble, DA can be deleted in the FDATA field of each of the n Ethernet frames.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a frame structure of a pack frame in which SA matches with a specific value as a pack generation condition and n Ethernet frames are stored under the pack generation condition (this pack frame is a pack format). 3). In the example of FIG. 7, in the case of the pack format 3, the SA (P3) field of the pack frame stores a specific value of SA determined by the pack generation condition. The DA can take a different value for every n Ethernet frames. Therefore, the DA (P3) field of the pack frame stores DA (1) of the Ethernet frame stored first, or stores a value set in advance by the user. The TL (P3) field of the pack frame stores an Ethernet type value indicating that the Ethernet frame type is a pack frame according to the present embodiment. In the case of pack format 3, the SA of n Ethernet frames is the same as the value of the pack frame. Therefore, in addition to the preamble, SA can be deleted in the FDATA field of each of the n Ethernet frames.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a frame structure of a pack frame in which n packs of Ethernet frames are stored under the pack generation condition where packing is always performed regardless of the values of DA and SA. Frame is pack format 4). In the example of FIG. 8, in the case of the pack format 4, DA and SA can take different values for every n Ethernet frames. Therefore, DA (P4) field and SA (P4) field of the pack frame store DA (1) and SA (1) of the Ethernet frame stored first, respectively, or store values set by the user in advance. . The TL (P4) field of the pack frame stores an Ethernet type value indicating that the Ethernet frame type is a pack frame according to the present embodiment. In the case of pack format 4, only the preamble of n Ethernet frames is the same as the value of the pack frame. Therefore, it is possible to delete only the preamble in the FDATA field of each of the n Ethernet frames.

(1-2) Operation of the First Embodiment Hereinafter, a specific example of processing performed by the communication device 10 of the present embodiment will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an Ethernet frame transmission process. As shown in FIG. 9, when the processing unit 11 receives a transmission request for an Ethernet frame, the processing unit 11 first performs pack frame information assignment processing for assigning pack frame information to be described later to the Ethernet frame (step A1). Details of the pack frame information allocation processing are shown in FIG. When the allocation of the pack frame information is successful (Yes in step A2), the processing unit 11 performs a pack frame information update process (for example, FIG. 12 described later) (step A3). On the other hand, when the allocation of the pack frame information has failed (No in Step A2), the communication unit 12 transmits the Ethernet frame as it is using the existing transmission process without combining the Ethernet frames into one pack frame (Step A4). .

  Here, the pack frame information is information for constructing a pack frame in which a plurality of Ethernet frames are combined into one, and may include items as shown below, for example. Hereinafter, specific examples of information included in the pack frame information will be described.

(A) Pack format: Information for identifying the pack format.
(B) Pack generation condition: a condition for determining whether to store an Ethernet frame in a pack frame. Not only the conditions for permitting, but also the conditions not permitted may be set. Taking the pack format 2 as an example, the DA is allowed when it matches 01: 02: 03: 04: 05, or it is not allowed when DA does not match. It may be a predetermined condition, may be set by the user, or may be dynamically set by some means.
(C) Transmission condition: When the number of Ethernet frames stored in the pack frame or the pack frame length exceeds a certain threshold value, a condition is set as to whether or not to perform transmission. The conditions may be determined in advance, or may be set by the user for each pack generation condition.
(D) Maximum allowable delay time: When this time elapses after the first Ethernet frame is stored in the pack frame, the pack frame is transmitted so that the delay time does not become too long even if the transmission condition is not satisfied. The user may be able to set for each pack generation condition.
(E) Maximum pack frame length: This is the maximum length of a pack frame and does not include FCS. The maximum value is obtained by subtracting FCS (4 bytes) from the pack frame buffer length. For example, if the maximum length of the pack frame is matched with the maximum frame length of the standard Ethernet, it is set to 1514 (= 1518-4). If this maximum length is exceeded when an Ethernet frame is added to the pack frame, the pack frame constructed so far is added after transmission. The user may be able to set.
(F) Pack frame buffer: Information for identifying a pack frame buffer that constructs a pack frame. The pack frame buffer is assigned with the maximum pack frame length of the pack frame + 4 bytes. On the pack frame buffer, a pack frame in a state in which the preamble and SFD are removed from the pack frames of the pack formats 1 to 4 is constructed. Since the preamble and SFD are normally dynamically assigned, they are not included in the pack frame buffer. The FCS may be calculated when a pack frame is transmitted and written in the pack frame buffer, or may be written using a hardware FCS grant function if there is a hardware.
(G) Number of pack frames: The number of Ethernet frames stored in the pack frame so far. It is initialized to 0 when creating pack frame information or after sending a pack frame.
(H) Write offset: This is an offset from the head of the pack frame buffer when data is next written to the pack frame buffer, and is the data length written to the pack frame buffer so far. It is initialized to 0 when the first Ethernet frame is added or after the pack frame is transmitted.
(I) Pack start time: Time when the first Ethernet frame is stored in the pack frame buffer. The difference between this time and the current time is the delay time.

  The pack frame information may be held inside the processing unit 11 or may be held by any means in the communication device 10. Further, the above items of the pack frame information will also be described sequentially as necessary.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of pack frame information allocation processing. In the example of FIG. 10, first, the processing unit 11 determines whether or not the Ethernet frame satisfies the pack generation condition (step B1). It is assumed that one or more pack generation conditions are set (may be set inside the processing unit 11 or may be set in any means in the communication device 10). In step B1, if any of the pack generation conditions is met, it is determined that the condition is met (Yes). The pack generation condition is a condition that, for example, construction of a pack frame is permitted when DA and SA each match a specific value, or construction of a pack frame is not permitted when they do not match. The pack generation condition may be a predetermined condition or may be set by the user. The pack generation conditions may include not only DA and SA, but also TL, IEEE 802.1Q tag, and higher information (for example, port number). In this case, however, the pack format shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 may need to be expanded.

  When the Ethernet frame does not meet the pack generation condition (No in Step B1), the processing unit 11 fails to assign the pack frame information to the Ethernet frame, and the communication unit 12 performs the existing transmission process on the Ethernet frame. Use to send. On the other hand, when the Ethernet frame satisfies the pack generation condition (Yes in Step B1), the processing unit 11 searches whether the pack frame information corresponding to the Ethernet frame exists in the existing pack frame information. (Step B2). If it exists in the existing pack frame information (Yes in step B3), the processing unit 11 performs the subsequent processing using the existing pack frame information. On the other hand, when it does not exist in the existing pack frame information (No in step B3), the processing unit 11 secures resources for allocation of new pack frame information (step B4).

  When securing new pack frame information fails (No in step B5), the communication unit 12 transmits an Ethernet frame using an existing transmission process. At this time, an upper limit of the number of pack frame information that can exist at the same time is determined, and even when the upper limit is exceeded, it is possible to fail to secure new pack frame information. On the other hand, when the new pack frame information is successfully secured (Yes in step B5), the processing unit 11 among the items of the new pack frame information, an item that only needs to be initialized once at the time of new securement, for example, pack format , Transmission conditions, maximum allowable delay time, and maximum pack frame length. Further, the processing unit 11 sets values corresponding to the pack generation conditions searched in step B1 (for example, specific values of DA and SA) as the pack generation conditions for new pack frame information (step B6). ). Subsequently, the processing unit 11 performs pack frame information initialization processing (for example, FIG. 11 described later) (step B7).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of pack frame information initialization processing. The pack frame information initialization processing is processing for initializing items to be dynamically changed among items of pack frame information. In the example of FIG. 11, the processing unit 11 first sets the pack start time of the pack frame information to the current time (step C1). Subsequently, the processing unit 11 initializes the write offset of the pack frame information and the number of pack frames with 0, and also initializes the pack frame buffer with 0 (step C2). Note that the pack frame buffer may be provided inside the processing unit 11 or may be provided at any place in the communication device 10. Subsequently, the processing unit 11 stores the DA, SA, TL, and pack format of the pack frame in the corresponding field of the pack frame buffer, and updates the write offset of the pack frame information (step C3).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of pack frame information update processing. The pack frame information update processing is processing for storing an Ethernet frame in a pack frame buffer and constructing a pack frame. In the example of FIG. 12, first, the processing unit 11 confirms whether or not a space for adding an Ethernet frame to the pack frame buffer is free (step D1). When the Ethernet frame cannot be added (No in Step D2), the processing unit 11 and the communication unit 12 transmit the pack frame that has been constructed so far in order to start construction of a new pack frame (Step D3). A specific example of the pack frame transmission process is shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the processing unit 11 performs a pack frame information initialization process (for example, FIG. 11) to reinitialize the pack frame information (step D4). As a result, the pack frame information is returned to the same state as when newly secured. On the other hand, when an Ethernet frame can be added (Yes in step D2), the processing unit 11 secures a space in the pack frame buffer, adds the Ethernet frame to the DATA field of the pack frame buffer according to the pack format, and sets the write offset. Update (step D5).

  Subsequently, the processing unit 11 checks whether or not the transmission condition of the pack frame information is satisfied (step D6). The transmission condition is a condition such as when the number of Ethernet frames stored in the pack frame exceeds a certain number or when the pack frame length exceeds a certain length (a length equal to or less than the maximum pack frame length). The transmission condition may be a predetermined condition or may be set by the user for each pack generation condition.

  When the transmission condition is satisfied (Yes in step D7), the processing unit 11 and the communication unit 12 perform pack frame transmission processing (for example, FIG. 13 described later) on the pack frame constructed on the pack frame buffer of the pack frame information. The processing unit 11 releases resources of the pack frame information that are no longer needed (step D9). Finally, the processing unit 11 performs a process for updating the next activation time of the delay monitoring timer (for example, FIG. 14 described later) (step D10). On the other hand, when the transmission condition is not satisfied (No in Step D7), the processing unit 11 performs an update process (for example, FIG. 14 described later) of the next activation time of the delay monitoring timer (Step D10).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of pack frame transmission processing. In the example of FIG. 13, the processing unit 11 first adds a FLEN field having a value of 0 indicating the end of the Ethernet frame stored in the packed frame to the packed frame buffer (step E1). Subsequently, the processing unit 11 calculates the FCS value of the pack frame, adds an FCS field to the pack frame buffer, and completes the pack frame format into a correct Ethernet frame format that can pass through the existing Ethernet network 20. (Step E2). Thereafter, the communication unit 12 transmits the pack frame in the Ethernet frame format using the existing transmission process (step E3).

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for updating the next activation time of the delay monitoring timer. In the example of FIG. 14, first, the processing unit 11 searches for pack frame information that exceeds the maximum allowable delay time earliest from the pack frame information (step F1). When the corresponding pack frame information is searched (Yes in step F2), the processing unit 11 activates a delay monitoring process (for example, FIG. 15 described later) when the maximum allowable delay time of the pack frame information of the search result is exceeded. A delay monitoring timer is set so as to do this (step F3). On the other hand, when the corresponding pack frame information is not searched (No in step F2), the delay monitoring process is not necessary, so the processing unit 11 does not start the delay monitoring timer and keeps it stopped (step F4). .

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the delay monitoring process. The delay monitoring process is a process of transmitting the pack frame constructed so far when the maximum allowable delay time is exceeded for each pack frame information after the first Ethernet frame is stored in the pack frame. In the example of FIG. 15, first, the processing unit 11 searches for pack frame information exceeding the maximum allowable delay time (step G1).

  When pack frame information exceeding the maximum allowable delay time is searched (Yes in step G2), the processing unit 11 and the communication unit 12 select a pack frame built on the pack frame buffer of the searched pack frame information, Transmission is performed using a pack frame transmission process (for example, FIG. 13) (step G3), and the processing unit 11 releases the resource of the pack frame information (step G4). On the other hand, when pack frame information exceeding the maximum allowable delay time is not retrieved (No in step G2), the processing unit 11 performs a process for updating the next activation time of the delay monitoring timer (for example, FIG. 14) (step G5). .

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an Ethernet frame reception process. In the example of FIG. 16, the processing unit 11 first checks the TL value of the TL field of the received Ethernet frame (step H1) and determines whether the Ethernet frame type of the received Ethernet frame is a packed frame according to the present embodiment. (Step H2). If it is not a pack frame (No in step H2), the processing unit 11 and the communication unit 12 perform an existing reception process (step H3). On the other hand, if it is a pack frame (Yes in step H2), the processing unit 11 checks whether or not the pack frame satisfies the pack release condition (step H4). The pack release condition is the same as the pack generation condition, and one or more are set (may be set in the processing unit 11 or may be set in any means in the communication device 10). ). In step H4, if any of the pack release conditions is met, it is determined that the condition is met (Yes). The pack release condition is a condition such as releasing the pack frame only when DA is a specific value, for example.

  When the unpacking condition is not satisfied (No in Step H4), the processing unit 11 and the communication unit 12 perform an existing reception process (Step H3). On the other hand, when the unpacking condition is met (Yes in step H4), the processing unit 11 restores the Ethernet frame on the secured restoration buffer according to the value of the DATA field of the packed frame.

  Specifically, the processing unit 11 first refers to the value of the pack format field (step H5), and then refers to the value of the next FLEN field (step H6). If the value of the FLEN field is not 0 (No in Step H7), the processing unit 11 secures a restoration buffer (Step H8), and restores the Ethernet frame according to the pack format (Step H9). For example, in the case of pack format 1 (FIG. 3), the processing unit 11 copies the values of DA and SA from the DA field and SA field of the pack frame, and from the FDATA field of the Ethernet frame stored in the pack frame. The value and DATA are copied and stored in the corresponding field to restore the Ethernet frame. Further, if the FCS is necessary in the existing reception process, the processing unit 11 calculates the FCS at this time.

  Subsequently, the processing unit 11 and the communication unit 12 perform existing reception processing on the restored Ethernet frame (step H10). Thereafter, the processing unit 11 refers to the next FLEN field (step H11) and returns to the processing of step H6. Thereafter, the processing unit 11 repeats the above processing until a FLEN field having a value of 0 is detected (Yes in Step H7).

(1-3) Effects of First Embodiment Hereinafter, effects of the communication device 10 of the present embodiment will be described.
As described above, the communication device 10 according to the present embodiment stores the same additional information (DA, SA, preamble, etc.) in the plurality of Ethernet frames only in the pack frame when constructing the pack frame. The Ethernet frame is stored in the pack frame after deleting the same additional information from each of the plurality of Ethernet frames. As a result, it is possible to reduce the bandwidth on the Ethernet network 20 used for transmitting the same and redundant additional information among a plurality of Ethernet frames.

  For example, in the case of the pack format 1 (FIG. 5), if n is 2 or more, the effect is that the bandwidth of 22n-30 bytes can be reduced by combining n Ethernet frames into one. . In the case of pack format 2 (FIG. 6) and pack format 3 (FIG. 7), if n is 2 or more, the bandwidth of 16n-30 bytes is reduced by combining n Ethernet frames into one. The effect that it can be obtained. In the case of the pack format 4 (FIG. 8), if n is 4 or more, it is possible to reduce the bandwidth of 10n-30 bytes by combining n Ethernet frames into one. can get.

  In addition, the communication apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can reduce the frame rate by constructing a pack frame in which a plurality of Ethernet frames are combined into one. Therefore, for example, when data transmission / reception is performed by interrupt processing, the overhead of the interrupt processing can be reduced.

  Further, as described above, the communication device 10 according to the present embodiment includes one or a plurality of cases such as when the pack frame length exceeds a certain length or when the number of Ethernet frames stored in the pack frame exceeds a certain number. The transmission conditions may be provided. Thereby, a pack frame can be transmitted when the transmission condition is satisfied.

  Further, as described above, the communication device 10 according to the present embodiment provides a maximum delay allowable time that is the maximum value of the elapsed time from the time when the first Ethernet frame is stored in the pack frame in addition to the transmission conditions described above. May be. Thereby, the pack frame can be transmitted after the maximum allowable delay time even at the longest.

  Further, as described above, the communication apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment may store the additional information stored in the header of the Ethernet frame in the header in the same manner as the Ethernet frame by using the same frame format as the Ethernet frame. . Thus, since the pack frame can pass through the existing Ethernet network 20, it is only necessary to construct and release the pack frame only at both end nodes of the data communication, and it is not necessary to greatly change the configuration of the entire system.

(2) Other Embodiments The above-described embodiments may be modified as follows, for example. In the above-described embodiment, the pack frame may be a jumbo frame, and further efficiency can be expected. The payload of a normal Ethernet frame is 1500 bytes at maximum, but the payload can be expanded to several tens of kilobytes or more by using a jumbo frame. Thus, more Ethernet frames can be stored in one pack frame.

  As illustrated in FIG. 17, the terminals 100-1 to 100-3 having the function of the communication device 10 and the existing terminals 300-1 to 300-3 not having the function of the communication device 10 may be mixed. In FIG. 17, it is assumed that the relay apparatuses 400-1 and 400-2 also have the function of the communication apparatus 10. The existing terminals 300-1 and 300-2 are respectively provided with relay apparatuses 400-1 and 400-2 between the Ethernet network 200. Therefore, the relay apparatuses 400-1 and 400-2 may construct and cancel the pack frame for the Ethernet frames transmitted and received by the existing terminals 300-1 and 300-2. On the other hand, the existing terminal 300-3 does not have a relay device with the Ethernet network 200. In this case, the terminals 100-1 to 100-3 and the relay apparatuses 400-1 and 400-2 appropriately set the pack generation condition and the pack release condition, so that the Ethernet frame addressed to the existing terminal 300-3 What is necessary is just not to build a pack frame.

  In the case of FIG. 17, even if the final destinations of a plurality of Ethernet frames are different, the plurality of Ethernet frames may be combined into one pack frame as long as the route is the same up to the intermediate relay device. . In this case, the pack generation condition may be set so that the plurality of Ethernet frames pass through the relay device (for example, in pack format 2, the DA value of the relay device is set).

  In the above-described embodiment, in order to prevent a communication destination terminal from being an existing terminal and transmitting a pack frame to the existing terminal, an Ethernet frame having a DA value of the terminal as a pack generation condition is The user may set to exclude from the frame generation target. Also, using a life and death monitoring method such as ping, the life and death monitoring method is implemented in two formats, Ethernet frames and pack frames that are not packed frames. Then, a pack generation condition may be added so that the Ethernet frame having the DA of the terminal is a target for generating a pack frame.

  The application destination of the technical idea described in the above embodiment is not limited to data communication via the Ethernet network, but is data communication that assigns the data to a frame when transmitting data via the data communication network. If there is, it can be suitably applied.

  In the above-described embodiment, the processing in the communication device 10 may be realized by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a computer program. The program may be stored using various types of non-transitory computer readable media and supplied to a computer. Non-transitory computer readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media are magnetic recording media (for example, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (for example, magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory). CD-R (CD-Recordable), CD-R / W (CD-ReWritable), semiconductor memory (for example, mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory) )including. The program may also be supplied to the computer by various types of transitory computer readable media. Examples of transitory computer readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire and an optical fiber, or a wireless communication path.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Further, for example, part or all of the above-described embodiment can be described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited thereto.

(Appendix 1)
A processing unit for building a pack frame storing a plurality of frames;
A communication unit for transmitting the pack frame to another communication device;
With
When the processing unit constructs the pack frame,
Deleting the same additional information from each of the plurality of frames.
The plurality of frames after the same additional information is deleted;
The same additional information;
Is stored in the pack frame,
Communication device.
(Appendix 2)
The same additional information is additional information of a specific value,
The processor is
When the additional information of the frame that has received the transmission request matches the specific value,
Storing the frame in the pack frame;
The communication apparatus according to attachment 1.
(Appendix 3)
The communication unit is
When the number of frames stored in the pack frame exceeds a certain number, or when the frame length of the pack frame exceeds a certain length,
Transmitting the packed frame,
The communication device according to attachment 2.
(Appendix 4)
The communication unit is
When the elapsed time from the time when the first frame is stored in the pack frame exceeds a certain time,
Transmitting the packed frame,
The communication device according to appendix 2 or 3.
(Appendix 5)
When the communication unit receives the pack frame from another communication device, the processing unit,
Storing the same additional information stored in the pack frame in each of the plurality of frames stored in the pack frame;
Restoring the plurality of frames;
The communication device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4.
(Appendix 6)
The plurality of frames and the pack frame are in the same frame format including a header and a payload,
When the processing unit constructs the pack frame,
Deleting the same additional information from the header of each of the plurality of frames;
Storing the plurality of frames after the same additional information is deleted in the payload of the pack frame;
Storing the same additional information in the header of the pack frame;
The communication device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4.
(Appendix 7)
When the communication unit receives the pack frame from another communication device, the processing unit,
Storing the same additional information stored in the header of the pack frame in the header of each of the plurality of frames stored in the payload of the pack frame;
Restoring the plurality of frames;
The communication device according to attachment 6.
(Appendix 8)
The same additional information is
Including at least one of a destination address, a source address, and a preamble,
The communication device according to any one of appendices 1 to 7.
(Appendix 9)
A communication method by a communication device,
A construction step of constructing a pack frame storing a plurality of frames;
A transmission step of transmitting the pack frame to another communication device;
Including
In the construction step,
Deleting the same additional information from each of the plurality of frames.
The plurality of frames after the same additional information is deleted;
The same additional information;
Is stored in the pack frame,
Communication method.
(Appendix 10)
The same additional information is additional information of a specific value,
In the construction step,
When the additional information of the frame that has received the transmission request matches the specific value,
Storing the frame in the pack frame;
The communication method according to attachment 9.
(Appendix 11)
In the transmission step,
When the number of frames stored in the pack frame exceeds a certain number, or when the frame length of the pack frame exceeds a certain length,
Transmitting the packed frame,
The communication method according to attachment 10.
(Appendix 12)
In the transmission step,
When the elapsed time from the time when the first frame is stored in the pack frame exceeds a certain time,
Transmitting the packed frame,
The communication method according to appendix 10 or 11.
(Appendix 13)
A receiving step of receiving the pack frame from another communication device;
A restoring step of restoring the plurality of frames stored in the received pack frame;
Further including
In the restoration step,
Storing the same additional information stored in the pack frame in each of the plurality of frames stored in the pack frame;
Restoring the plurality of frames;
The communication method according to any one of appendices 9 to 12.
(Appendix 14)
The plurality of frames and the pack frame are in the same frame format including a header and a payload,
In the construction step,
Deleting the same additional information from the header of each of the plurality of frames;
Storing the plurality of frames after the same additional information is deleted in the payload of the pack frame;
Storing the same additional information in the header of the pack frame;
The communication method according to any one of appendices 9 to 12.
(Appendix 15)
A receiving step of receiving the pack frame from another communication device;
A restoring step of restoring the plurality of frames stored in the received pack frame;
Further including
In the restoration step,
Storing the same additional information stored in the header of the pack frame in the header of each of the plurality of frames stored in the payload of the pack frame;
Restoring the plurality of frames;
The communication method according to attachment 14.
(Appendix 16)
The same additional information is
Including at least one of a destination address, a source address, and a preamble,
The communication method according to any one of appendices 9 to 15.
(Appendix 17)
On the computer,
Construction procedure for constructing a pack frame storing a plurality of frames,
A transmission procedure for transmitting the pack frame to another communication device;
And execute
In the construction procedure,
Deleting the same additional information from each of the plurality of frames.
The plurality of frames after the same additional information is deleted;
The same additional information;
Is stored in the pack frame,
program.

10, 10-1, 10-2 Communication device 11 Processing unit 12 Communication unit 20 Ethernet network 100-1 to 100-3 terminal 200 Ethernet network 300-1 to 300-3 Existing terminal 400-1, 400-2 Relay device

Claims (10)

A processing unit for building a pack frame storing a plurality of frames;
A communication unit for transmitting the pack frame to another communication device;
With
When the processing unit constructs the pack frame,
Deleting the same additional information from each of the plurality of frames.
The plurality of frames after the same additional information is deleted;
The same additional information;
Is stored in the pack frame,
Communication device. The same additional information is additional information of a specific value,
The processor is
When the additional information of the frame that has received the transmission request matches the specific value,
Storing the frame in the pack frame;
The communication apparatus according to claim 1. The communication unit is
When the number of frames stored in the pack frame exceeds a certain number, or when the frame length of the pack frame exceeds a certain length,
Transmitting the packed frame,
The communication apparatus according to claim 2. The communication unit is
When the elapsed time from the time when the first frame is stored in the pack frame exceeds a certain time,
Transmitting the packed frame,
The communication apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. When the communication unit receives the pack frame from another communication device, the processing unit,
Storing the same additional information stored in the pack frame in each of the plurality of frames stored in the pack frame;
Restoring the plurality of frames;
The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The plurality of frames and the pack frame are in the same frame format including a header and a payload,
When the processing unit constructs the pack frame,
Deleting the same additional information from the header of each of the plurality of frames;
Storing the plurality of frames after the same additional information is deleted in the payload of the pack frame;
Storing the same additional information in the header of the pack frame;
The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. When the communication unit receives the pack frame from another communication device, the processing unit,
Storing the same additional information stored in the header of the pack frame in the header of each of the plurality of frames stored in the payload of the pack frame;
Restoring the plurality of frames;
The communication apparatus according to claim 6. The same additional information is
Including at least one of a destination address, a source address, and a preamble,
The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A communication method by a communication device,
A construction step of constructing a pack frame storing a plurality of frames;
A transmission step of transmitting the pack frame to another communication device;
Including
In the construction step,
Deleting the same additional information from each of the plurality of frames.
The plurality of frames after the same additional information is deleted;
The same additional information;
Is stored in the pack frame. On the computer,
Construction procedure for constructing a pack frame storing a plurality of frames,
A transmission procedure for transmitting the pack frame to another communication device;
And execute
In the construction procedure,
Deleting the same additional information from each of the plurality of frames.
The plurality of frames after the same additional information is deleted;
The same additional information;
Is stored in the pack frame,
program.

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