JP3033710B2 - MAC address changing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a MAC address changing device, and more particularly to a MAC address changing device of a computer system connected to a LAN by a communication protocol having no protocol for dynamically acquiring a MAC address.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the opening of communication protocols. Computers are increasingly connected using OSI or the de facto industry standard TCP / IP protocol.

When these communication protocols are applied to a LAN, the MAC address, which is the address of the media access control (MAC) sub-layer of the data link layer corresponding to the second layer of the OSI hierarchical model, is calculated from the upper protocol address to the MAC address. ARP (Address
ss Resolution Protocol) or E
S-IS (Endsystem-Intermedia)
communication system, such as communication system,
No. 303106, which is automatically acquired and managed by a LAN connection device discovery apparatus and the like.

However, in communication between computers having no communication protocol or device as described above, in order to identify a partner computer system by a MAC address, the MAC address of the partner computer system must be manually set before performing communication. It was necessary to register at.

[0005] Such a technique is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03-1231.
No. 37 is disclosed. According to this technique, the MAC address of the partner computer is manually registered in the nonvolatile memory, and is developed in a routing table every time the apparatus is initialized, and the developed MAC address is used for communication. I have.

To change the MAC address registered by such a technique, the MAC address to be changed registered in the non-volatile memory is re-registered, and then the device is initialized to change the MAC address. The MAC address thus developed is used in the routing table.

[0007]

The conventional MAC described above
In the address registration method, when using a MAC address that has been changed and registered, the changed MAC address must be developed in a routing table. For this reason, the operation of the computer system is temporarily suspended and re-initialization is performed. It has the disadvantage of having to be done.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a computer system in which communication is not performed without a pause when the MAC address of a partner computer system is changed without suspending the operation of the computer system.
An object of the present invention is to provide a MAC address changing device which can change an AC address and communicate with a partner computer system.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a MAC address changing apparatus comprising: a first storage unit which is a nonvolatile memory for storing an identifier of a computer system as a communication partner and its MAC address; Second storage means for storing an identifier of the computer system, its MAC address, and communication status information indicating a communication status with its own computer system; and outputting and controlling input of the MAC address update information and corresponding information. See MAC address input means, first update means for updating the first storage means, second update means for updating the second storage means, first storage means and second storage means Communication status confirmation means for confirming the validity of the input MAC address update information and the communication status information of the computer system to be updated; When the result of the confirmation of the validity of the update information by the status confirmation means is invalid, the invalid information is displayed on the MAC address input means, and the result of the confirmation of the validity of the update information by the communication state confirmation means is valid and the confirmation of the communication state information is performed. When the result is no communication, the MAC stored in the first and second storage means is updated by the first and second update means.
A MAC address for updating the address, and when the result of the confirmation of the validity of the update information by the communication state confirming means is valid and the result of the confirmation of the communication state information is in communication, the MAC address input means displays that the MAC address cannot be updated; And a change control means.

[0010] A MAC address changing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises:
In the MAC address changing device according to the first aspect of the invention, the communication state confirmation means repeats the confirmation operation at a fixed cycle when the communication state information of the second storage means is communicating, and is still communicating even after a lapse of a fixed time. It is characterized in that the confirmation result of the communication state information is in communication.

[0011]

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a MAC address changing device according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a MAC address changing device 4 according to the first embodiment is configured in a computer system 1 and stores an identifier of a computer system as a communication partner and its MAC address as a pair. A communication environment information file 16 which is a non-volatile memory, an identifier of a computer system which is a communication partner during operation of the computer system 1, its MAC address, and whether or not the computer being a communication partner is communicating with its own computer system. And a MAC address input unit 1 for controlling the input and update of the MAC address update information to the display device 3 for output display control
1, a registration information updating unit 13 for updating registration information of the communication environment information file 16, a management table updating unit 14 for updating information of the management table 17, and the communication environment information file 16 and the management table 17. A communication status confirmation unit 15 for confirming an update target and its communication status information;
It comprises a MAC address change control unit 12 for controlling each component of the address change device 4.

The computer system 1 has a communication control initialization unit 5 and a communication control unit 6 as mechanisms directly related to the description of the operation of the MAC address changing device 4 of the first embodiment, and further as connection devices. Although only the input device 2 and the display device 3 are shown, the invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the MAC address changing device 4 according to the first embodiment. The operation of the MAC address changing device 4 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the computer system 1 is started, the communication control initialization unit 5 reads information from the communication environment information file 16 and expands the information in the management table 17. The communication control unit 6 obtains the MAC address of the partner computer system according to the information in the developed management table 17, and controls communication by using the MAC address. At the time of communication, the communication control unit 6 updates the communication state information of the communication partner computer system in the management table 17 from “no communication” to “communicating”.

When it becomes necessary to change the registered MAC address information, the administrator of the computer system 1
The input device 2 starts the MAC address changing device 4. The MAC address change control unit 12 responds
Control of each unit of the AC address changing device 4 is started.

First, the MAC address input unit 11 is started up, and the old M of the partner computer system to be changed is changed.
An input screen for inputting the AC address and the new MAC address is displayed on the display device 3 (step 21).

Next, the administrator of the computer system 1 manually inputs the old MAC address and the new MAC address of the partner computer system to be changed from the input device 2 and displays them on the screen (step 22).

Next, the control shifts to the communication state confirming section 15, and
First, the validity of the input information is checked, and then the operation proceeds to the operation of specifying the partner computer system and confirming its communication state (step 23).

That is, the communication state confirmation unit 15 confirms that the input new MAC address does not exist in the communication environment information file 16 with reference to the communication environment information file 16 (step 23-1). The input new MAC address exists in the communication environment information file 16, that is,
If not registered (N branch of step 23-1), the input new MAC address is determined to be an invalid MAC address, and the process proceeds to step 27.

If the input new MAC address does not exist in the communication environment information file 16, that is, if it has not been registered (Y branch in step 23-1), the input old M
The existence of the AC address is confirmed (step 23-2).
The input old MAC address is the communication environment information file 1
6, that is, if it is not registered (N branch of step 23-2), the input old MAC address is determined to be an invalid MAC address, and the process proceeds to step 27.

If it is determined in step 23 that an invalid MAC address has been input (N branch in step 23-1 or N branch in step 23-2), in step 27, M
Incorrect MAC to display device 3 by AC address input unit 11
A message indicating that the address has been input is output and displayed, and the process ends.

In step 23, when both the old MAC address and the new MAC address are not invalid (Y branch of step 23-1 and step 23-2)
(Y branch), the communication state confirmation unit 15 further specifies the identifier of the partner computer system corresponding to the old MAC address using the communication environment information file 16 (step 23-).
3) With this, the communication status information of the partner computer system is obtained and confirmed by the management table 17 (step 23-4).

In step 23-4, when the result of the check by the management table 17 of the communication status information of the partner computer system is "communicating" (Y in step 23-4).
Branch), proceeding to step 28, the MAC address input section 11
Displays a message to the effect that the MAC address cannot be updated during communication on the display device 3, and terminates the processing.

In step 23-4, when the result of the check in the management table 17 of the communication state information of the partner computer system is "no communication" (N in step 23-4).
Branch), and proceed to step 24.

At step 24, the registration information updating unit 13 updates the MAC address of the partner computer system registered in the communication environment information file 16 from the old MAC address to the new MAC address.
At 5, the management table updating unit 14 uses the management table 17
Is updated from the old MAC address to the new MAC address, a message indicating that the update is completed is output and displayed in step 26, and the process is terminated.

Thus, the computer system 1
Is operating, the MAC address of the communication environment information file 16 and the management table 17 can be updated unless the computer system to be updated is communicating, so that the communication control unit 6 is updated thereafter. The communication with the partner computer system can be performed using the MAC address information of the management table 17.

When the computer system 1 is restarted, the updated registration information is read from the communication environment information file 16 by the communication control initialization unit 5 and loaded into the management table 17, so that the communication control unit 6 Thereafter, communication with the partner computer system can be performed using the updated MAC address information of the management table 17.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a LAN configuration.
That is, the own computer system 32 and the partner computer systems A, B, C and D are connected to the LAN 31. And the partner computer system A,
B, C and D each have a MAC address “1”,
It is assumed that “2”, “3” and “5” are given.

In such a state, the communication environment information file 16 of the own computer system 32 stores the identifier of the partner computer system and its M as shown in FIG.
AC address and others are registered.

When the own computer system 32 is started, the communication control initialization unit 5 reads the communication environment information file 16 and expands the information in the management table 17 (FIG. 5A). The communication control unit 6 controls communication with the partner computer systems A, B, C and D based on the information in the management table 17.

Here, M of the partner computer system C
It is assumed that the AC address has been changed from “3” to “7”.

In this case, the system administrator of the computer system 32 activates the MAC address changing device 4. Then, the MAC address input unit 11 starts up and displays a screen for inputting the old MAC address and the new MAC address on the display device 3.

The own computer system administrator inputs the old MAC address “3” and the new MAC address “7” from the input device 2. When the input is completed, the communication status check unit 15 first checks the validity of the input data.

That is, the communication status confirmation unit 15 refers to the communication environment information file 16 (FIG. 4A), and the new MAC address “7” has not been registered and the old MAC address “3” has not been registered. The validity of the input data is confirmed by confirming that the data is already registered.

Therefore, the communication environment information file 16 (FIG. 4A) indicates that the identifier (system name) of the partner computer system whose MAC address is to be changed from the next input old MAC address "3" is C. Identify.

The communication status confirmation unit 15 determines that the communication status information of the partner computer system C is "no communication" from the management table 17 (FIG. 5A) based on the specified identifier "C".
After confirming that the MAC address is updated, the flow shifts to a MAC address update operation.

The updating operation of the MAC address of the communication environment information file 16 is performed by the registration information updating unit 13.
The input new MAC address “7” is converted to the MACADD of the partner computer system C of the communication environment information file 16.
The R parameter is registered as shown in FIG.

The operation of updating the MAC address of the management table 17 is performed by the management table updating unit 14. The input new MAC address “7” is written in the MAC address information column of the partner computer system C in the communication environment information file 16 as shown in FIG.

After the above operation is completed, a message to the effect that the update of the MAC address information has been completed is output and displayed on the display device 3 by the MAC address input section 11, and the process ends.

Thereafter, the communication control section 6 controls communication assuming that the MAC address of the partner computer system C is "7".

Next, the MA of the partner computer system A
A case in which the C address is updated from “1” to “4” will be described.

The MA of the above-mentioned partner computer system C
As in the case of updating the C address, the system administrator of the own computer system 32 inputs the old MAC address “1” and the new MAC address “4”.

After confirming the validity of the old and new MAC addresses, the communication status confirmation unit 15 identifies the partner computer system A from the communication environment information file 16 (FIG. 4B), and manages the information using this information. Table 17
From FIG. 5 (b), it is known that the communication status information is "communicating", and a message to the effect that updating is not possible is output and displayed on the display device 3 by the MAC address input unit 11, and the process is terminated.

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the MAC address changing device according to the present invention. The configuration of the MAC address changing device of the second embodiment is the same as that of the MAC address changing device of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but is different from that of the second embodiment. The difference between the present embodiment and the MAC address changing device of the first embodiment described above lies in the configuration and operation of the communication state confirmation unit.

The communication status checking unit of the MAC address changing device of the second embodiment has a timer in addition to the communication status checking unit of the MAC address changing device of the first embodiment, and updates the MAC address. The operation when the communication status information of the target partner computer system is "communicating" is different from the operation of the communication status confirmation unit of the MAC address changing device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows that the validity of the new and old MAC addresses input by the communication status confirmation unit of the MAC address changing device according to the second embodiment is confirmed, and the identifier of the partner computer system is specified. Later, that is, FIG.
(Operation of the communication status confirmation unit of the MAC address changing device according to the second embodiment before the operation of Step 23-3 is the operation of the communication status confirmation unit of the MAC address changing device of the first embodiment) (Performing the same operation as the above).

The operation of the communication state checking unit of the MAC address changing device according to the second embodiment after step 23-3 in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

The communication status checking unit of the MAC address changing device according to the second embodiment checks the validity of the input new and old MAC addresses and specifies the identifier of the partner computer system. Initialization is performed to start the timing operation (step 61).

Next, the communication status information of the partner computer system is obtained and confirmed by the management table 17 using the specified identifier of the partner computer system (step 6).
2).

If the result of the check in the management table 17 of the communication status information of the partner computer system at step 62 is "no communication" (N branch of step 62), the timer stops the timer operation (step 63), and FIG. Step 24 and subsequent steps, that is, the MAC address updating operation.

When the result of the check in the management table 17 of the communication status information of the other computer system is "communicating" in step 62 (Y branch of step 62), the communication of the other computer system is performed at regular intervals with reference to the timer value. The confirmation operation by the state information management table 17 is repeated (loop of N branch of step 64, Y branch of 65 and 62), and the management of the communication state information of the partner computer system is performed in a time shorter than a predetermined fixed time T. When the result of the check by the table 17 becomes "no communication" (N branch of step 62), the timer operation is stopped (step 63), and the operation after step 24 in FIG. 2, that is, the MAC address update operation Move on to

If the result of the check by the management table 17 of the communication status information of the partner computer system after the lapse of the predetermined time T is "communicating" (step 64).
), And stops the timer operation (step 6).
6) The operation proceeds to the operation of step 28 in FIG. 2, that is, the update impossible display operation.

As described above, the MAC address changing device according to the second embodiment can be used within a certain period of time when the result of the check in the management table 17 of the communication status information of the partner computer system is "communicating". For example, since the MAC address can be updated after the communication state information becomes “no communication”, the M address of the first embodiment can be updated.
The number of updating steps can be reduced as compared with the AC address changing device.

As described above, the MA of the present embodiment
Even if the computer system 1 is operating, if the computer system for which the MAC address is to be updated is not communicating, the C address changing device can communicate with the communication environment information file 1.
By updating the MAC address of the management table 17 and the management table 17, the communication control unit 6 can use the updated MAC address information of the management table 17 to communicate with the partner computer system without restarting the computer system 1. Communication can be performed.

[0057]

As described above, according to the MAC address changing device of the present invention, even if the computer system is operating, if the computer system whose MAC address is to be updated is not communicating, the communication environment information file and the management By updating the MAC address in the table, the communication control unit can thereafter communicate with the partner computer system using the updated MAC address information in the management table 17 without restarting the computer system. As a result, the operation efficiency of the computer system can be significantly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a MAC address changing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the MAC address changing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a LAN environment.

4A and 4B are data storage diagrams showing an example of data storage in a communication environment information file 16, wherein FIG. 4A shows a state before updating and FIG. 4B shows a state after updating.

5A and 5B are data storage diagrams showing an example of data storage in a management table 17; FIG. 5A shows a state before updating, and FIG. 5B shows a state after updating.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a partial operation of a communication status confirmation unit in the MAC address changing device according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Computer system 2 Input device 3 Display device 4 MAC address change device 5 Communication control initialization part 6 Communication control part 11 MAC address input part 12 MAC address change control part 13 Registration information update part 14 Management table update part 15 Communication state check part 16 Communication Environment Information File 17 Management Table 31 LAN 32 Own Computer System

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 12/28 G06F 13/00 JICST file (JOIS)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A first storage unit which is a non-volatile memory for storing an identifier of a computer system as a communication partner and a MAC address thereof, and stores, during operation, the identifier of the computer system, its MAC address and its own computer system; A second storage unit for storing communication state information indicating a communication state; a MAC address input unit for outputting and controlling the input of the MAC address update information and the corresponding information; and a second storage unit for updating the first storage unit. A first updating unit, a second updating unit for updating the second storage unit, and a first updating unit.
Communication state checking means for checking the validity of the input MAC address update information and the communication state information of the computer system to be updated, with reference to the storage means and the second storage means, and updating by the communication state checking means When the result of the information validity confirmation is invalid, the invalid information is displayed on the MAC address input means, and the confirmation result of the update information validity by the communication state confirmation means is valid and the confirmation result of the communication state information is no communication. In some cases, the first and second updating means update the MAC address in the first and second storage means, and the communication state confirming means confirms the validity of the update information and the communication state information MAC address change control means for displaying the MAC address update impossible on the MAC address input means when the confirmation result of MAC address changing device which comprises. 2. The communication state confirmation means repeats a confirmation operation at a fixed cycle when the communication state information of the second storage means is communicating, and confirms a result of the communication state information when communication is still performed after a lapse of a predetermined time. 2. The MAC address changing device according to claim 1, wherein the device is communicating.