JP3056075B2 - Network path disconnection / reconnection method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network path disconnection / reconnection method, and more particularly to a network path disconnection / reconnection method for reducing communication charges when using a pay-per-use line. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When communication is performed using a pay-as-you-go telephone line, once a line is connected, charging continues until the line is disconnected, even if the connected line is not used.

As a conventional technique for solving this problem only with the ISDN line, there is a method described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 5-276262. This prior art automatically disconnects a line after a first predetermined time has elapsed each time data transmission / reception is interrupted,
If the data input is resumed before the second predetermined time elapses, the line is reconnected. If the data input is not restarted before the second predetermined time elapses, communication with the communication partner becomes impossible. The charging problem is solved by assuming that the connection has become unusual, and notifying the host of the line disconnection.

The prior art will be described with reference to a flowchart of a timer routine shown in FIG. In the figure, IS
The figure shows the process of the automatic disconnection function when data transmission and reception between the personal computer connected to the DN and the host is interrupted for a predetermined time. It is assumed that a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.) set in advance by the operator is set in the two timers. First, it is determined whether or not the transmission capability is unrestricted digital (step 501). If no, the transmission capability = voice call is possible, so this automatic disconnection process is not started. It is determined whether there is data being transmitted / received (step 502), and if there is data, the timer 1 is initialized (step 5).
03) (that is, the timer 1 is returned to the predetermined set time), and when there is no data, the timer 1 is counted up for the first time (step 504).

If the set time (for example, 5 minutes) of the timer 1 has timed out (if data transmission / reception has been interrupted for a predetermined time) (step 505), the process exits the loop and firstly, the telephone number being connected The memory (RA
M) (Step 506), the line is disconnected (Step 507), and the timer 2 is started (Step 508). In this way, after the data collection is interrupted, there is no need to continue to be charged due to the line being connected unnecessarily, and if the reconnection after automatic disconnection is within a predetermined time, the calling procedure is not performed. In both cases, the reconnection is performed only by starting the data input, which saves labor.

When a remote operation is performed in this distributed system when the system is set up using a telephone line, a network path remains connected between the plurality of systems until the operation is completed. For this reason, there is a problem in that when a distributed system is constructed using a network that adopts a pay-per-use system, the communication cost becomes too high. In particular, when it takes time to process an operation, or in a large-scale multi-tier system, when each layer system receives a response from all lower-level systems and then returns a response to the higher-level system Is a problem.

[0007]

The first problem is that the line cannot be disconnected until a certain time has elapsed even if the upper application is aware that data transmission and reception will be interrupted for a while.

[0008] The reason is that only the passage of time is used as a criterion for disconnecting the line. For example, when performing remote operation processing by broadcast to a plurality of partner systems via a multi-stage relay system, responses from the multiple partner systems are aggregated into one message in each relay system, and the Transmission to the relay system or the source system is conceivable. In such a case, since a request message is issued between the transmission source system and the relay system at the next stage, it is expected that a considerable amount of time will pass until a response message is received from each system. It is most efficient to disconnect the line immediately after transmitting the request message from the source system.

A second problem is that it cannot be accurately determined whether or not communication with a communication partner is impossible. That is, in the above-described conventional method, the line is automatically disconnected after the elapse of the first predetermined time each time data transmission / reception is interrupted, and if the data input is not resumed until the elapse of the second predetermined time, the communication is started. This is because it is considered that communication with the other party has become impossible. In reality, the time required for the host application to process data often differs greatly depending on the type of data and the application. Therefore, it is not accurate to determine that communication with the communication partner has become impossible due to the passage of time alone.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for disconnecting and automatically reconnecting a network path, and in particular, to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional method when using a pay-per-use line. An object of the present invention is to provide a network path disconnection / automatic reconnection method for reducing communication charges.

[0011]

According to the network path disconnection / automatic reconnection method of the present invention, a physical line is disconnected while maintaining a logical network path in response to a request from a host application.

Further, according to the present invention, the network path
The automatic reconnection method automatically reconnects the physical line if a transmission request is received from a higher-level application while the physical line is disconnected while maintaining the logical network path. Thereafter, it is possible to perform transmission processing.

Further, the network path disconnection / auto reconnection method according to the present invention is a method for maintaining a logical network path and disconnecting a physical line after a predetermined time elapses. The lower logical network path is automatically reconnected to confirm that communication with the remote system is possible. If reconnection is successful, it is determined that communication is possible, and the lower logical network is automatically determined. Re-disconnect the network path. If the connection cannot be re-established, the host application is notified that the logical network path has been disconnected.

[Operation] According to the present invention, a higher-level application can easily and arbitrarily hold a logical network path and disconnect a physical line. For this reason, if it is known that it takes time for the system that issued the request message to receive the response message from the partner system, the physical line will be used until the partner system sends the response message. By disconnecting, the use time of the physical line can be reduced.
For this reason, when the billing system for the physical line is the pay-as-you-go system, it is possible to reduce the cost required for communication.

If the host application disconnects the physical line while maintaining the logical network path, it is confirmed that communication with the partner system is possible after a predetermined time elapses. In order to automatically reconnect the lower-level logical network path, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not communication with the partner system is possible.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, mutual transmission and reception of data communication will be described with reference to FIGS.
And will be described. This system is a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) connected by a communication line
The upper layer applications A2 and B6
All communication layers are multi-layered, such as communication layers 3 and 7, which are hierarchized, and transport layers 4 and 8, which are lower layers, and are indicated by dark lines provided to upper layers according to instructions from upper layers. While maintaining the logical network path 10 shown in FIG.
It is implemented in a hierarchy having a function of temporarily disconnecting and reconnecting the physical network path 9 indicated by a wide line.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, when an operation request is issued from a host application, all of the physical and logical network paths 9 and 10 are connected. Next, while the application B6 is processing the self-consequent type operation, as shown in FIG. 2, the network paths (the connection between the application A2 and the communication layer 3 and the connection between the application B2 and the communication layer Other than between). Next, when the application B6 notifies the application A2 of the processing result of the operation, as shown in FIG. 3, after newly connecting a network path below the mounted communication layer, the processing result of the operation is transferred.

According to the present embodiment, when an operation requiring a long time for program processing is requested, the physical network path can be disconnected until the processing of the operation is completed while maintaining the logical network path of the upper layer. Therefore, communication costs can be significantly reduced. Also,
In a multi-stage large-scale hierarchical system, a physical network path with an upper layer can be cut off until each layer system receives a response from all lower-layer systems, thereby reducing communication costs. . In addition, because it does not keep a physical network path,
A physical network path exceeding the maximum number of exchanges in the entire telephone line system can be connected in a pseudo manner, and the telephone line can be effectively used.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the network path disconnection / automatic reconnection method according to the present embodiment includes a host application 101 and an instruction receiving unit 102 from a host that receives a disconnection request from the host application 101 and a transmission / reception request of a normal message.
And normal message transmitting / receiving means 103 for transmitting and receiving normal messages
And a disconnection request message transmission / reception means 104 and a disconnection response message transmission / reception used for disconnecting a physical line while maintaining a logical network path with the partner system when a request for temporary disconnection is received from the upper-level application 101. Means 105, a path management table updating means 106 for updating the contents of the path management table, a path management table 107 for storing information on the current logical network path, and a physical When a message transmission request is received from the host while the current line is disconnected, the message used to reconnect the physical line to the partner system and associate it with the logical network path The reconnection request message transmitting / receiving means 108 and the reconnection response message transmitting / receiving means 109 to be processed Timeout detection means 110 for detecting that the timer used to the remote system when the state of cutting the physical line while connecting the network path to periodically monitor has timed out
And a lower communication layer 111 corresponding to a part of the above-described transport layer, and a physical line 112 that is a physical line and is a pay-as-you-go billing system.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when a request to disconnect the physical line 112 is received from the upper-level application 101. When the instruction receiving unit 102 from the upper application 101 receives a request to disconnect the physical line 112 from the upper application 101 (step 201), the disconnect request message transmitting / receiving unit 104 transmits the disconnect request message to the lower system so as to transmit the disconnect request message to the partner system. Request is made to the communication layer 111 (step 202). The disconnection response message transmitting / receiving means 105 receives the disconnection response message from the lower communication layer 111 connected to the partner system (step 20).
3) and the physical line 112 is disconnected by requesting the lower communication layer 111 to disconnect the logical network path between itself and the partner system (step 20).
4). Subsequently, the path management table updating means 106 stores the fact that the physical line 112 has been disconnected in the path management table 107 (step 205), and sets a check timer of the partner system (step 206).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when a transmission / reception request is received from the upper-level application 101. When the instruction receiving unit 102 receives a message transmission / reception request from the host application 101 from the host (step 301), it receives the information of the path management table 107 from the path management table updating unit 106 (step 302) and disconnects the physical line 112. It is determined whether or not there is (step 303). If the physical line 112 is not disconnected, the normal message transmission / reception means 103 immediately requests the lower communication layer 111 to transmit the transmission message received from the upper application 101 to the partner system, and terminates. If the physical line 112 is disconnected, the reconnection request message transmitting / receiving means 108 requests the lower communication layer 111 to establish a network path with the partner system to reconnect the physical line. Then, it requests the lower communication layer 111 to transmit a reconnection request message to the partner system to reconnect the logical network path (step 304). Subsequently, when the reconnection response message transmission / reception means 109 receives the reconnection response message received from the partner system via the lower communication layer 111 (step 305), the reconnection response message is physically stored in the path management table 107 by the path management table updating means 106. Line 1
After requesting to memorize the connection of No. 12 (step 306), the check timer of the partner system is canceled (step 307), and the normal message transmitting / receiving means 103 transmits the transmission message received from the upper application 101 to the partner system. The lower communication layer 111 is requested to transmit (step 308).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when the check timer of the partner system has timed out.

When the check timer of the partner system set in step 206 of FIG. 5 times out, the time-out detecting means 110 sets the path management table updating means 1
06, the information of the path management table 107 is received (step 401), and it is determined whether or not the physical line 112 is disconnected (step 402). If the physical line 112 is not disconnected due to an event such as a reconnection of the logical network path while the timer event is being queued, the process ends without doing anything. Physical line 11
2 is disconnected, a lower logical network path in the own system is connected, and the lower communication layer 11 is further connected.
1 to establish a logical network path with the partner system and attempt to connect a lower logical network path in the partner system (step 4).
03). Next, it is confirmed that the physical line 112 can be connected to the partner system, and it is determined whether or not the connection has been successful (step 404). In this step 404, the connection is automatically established in the same manner as the connection of the telephone line. Next, when the connection is unsuccessful, that is, when the establishment of the logical network path fails, the upper application 101 is notified that the line of the logical network path conscious of the upper system has been disconnected (step 407). If the establishment and connection of the lower logical network path succeeds, the lower communication layer 111 is requested to disconnect the logical network path with the just-established partner system, and the 112 is cut again (step 405). Finally, the check timer of the partner system is set again (step 406).

In the above embodiment, the present invention is particularly effective for a metered-charge physical line. However, the present invention is also effective for a system in which a fixed fee is charged within a specified time because the accumulated time of the line connection time can be reduced. is there.

[0026]

The first effect is that, in the network path disconnection / automatic reconnection method of the present invention, the host application recognizes that the response from the communication partner is slow, and uses the physical line of the pay-per-use method. This has the effect of reducing communication billing.

The reason is that, in response to a request from the upper application, the physical line is immediately disconnected while maintaining the logical network path recognized by the upper application.

The second effect is that the network path disconnection / automatic reconnection method of the present invention can be used even when a request to disconnect a physical line is received from a host application while retaining a logical network path. There is an effect that it is possible to accurately know whether or not the state in which communication with the communication partner is possible is maintained.

The reason is that a lower-level logical network path is established / disconnected with the communication partner every predetermined time set in advance.

A third effect is that the network path disconnection / automatic reconnection method of the present invention has an effect that a line exceeding the maximum number of lines of the exchange can be used.

The reason is that the physical line can be disconnected while maintaining the logical network path recognized by the host application. This is because it is possible to make it appear that they are being used at the same time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an embodiment of the present invention (disconnection of a physical line while maintaining a logical network path).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of one embodiment of the present invention (telegram transmission processing in a state where a physical line is disconnected).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an embodiment of the present invention (the check timer of the other party has timed out).

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 upper application 102 higher-level instruction receiving means 103 normal message transmitting / receiving means 104 disconnection request message transmitting / receiving means 105 disconnection response message transmitting / receiving means 106 path management table updating means 107 path management table 108 reconnection request message transmitting / receiving means 109 reconnection response message transmitting / receiving Means 110 Timeout detection means 111 Lower communication layer 112 Physical line

Continuation of the front page (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 3/00 H04M 3/16-3/20 H04M 3/38-3/40 H04M 7/00-7/16 H04M 11 / 00-11/10 H04M 15/00-15/38 H04Q 3/54-3/56 H04L 12/00-12/66

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] In a network path disconnection / automatic reconnection method for disconnecting a physical line while maintaining a logical network path in response to a request from an application in an upper layer, the upper level is stored in a personal computer. Layer application
And the layered communication layer and lower transport layer
And data from the upper layer application
When a communication operation request occurs,
A connection unit for connecting a logical network path, and disconnecting the physical line while the logical network path is connected while executing a self-contained process in one program of the upper layer application Disconnecting a network path, characterized in that the disconnection means
Reconnection method. 2. The network path disconnection / automatic reconnection method according to claim 1, wherein a logical network path in a state where the physical line is disconnected is provided.
A network path disconnection / reconnection method, comprising: reconnection means for automatically reconnecting the physical line when a data transmission request is issued from the upper layer application. 3. An upper application in a personal computer
Logical network as required by the application
A network that disconnects the physical line while maintaining the path
In the path disconnection / automatic reconnection method, the host application in the personal computer is
Executing a self-contained process in one program
Connect the logical network path to the
Cutting means for cutting the reasonable line, the logical network path in the state in which the physical line is disconnected, and means for periodically checking that it is in communication is ready with the other system A network path disconnection / reconnection method characterized by having: 4. A higher level application and the intermediate communication layer in the personal computer and the cut-automatic re-connection method of a network path having a plurality of system comprising a connection layer of the line, the upper Apurikeshi in the personal computer
® connection layer of the line during the self-processable processing in one program of emissions and other personal computers
Means for disconnecting the connection with the connection layer of the line of the system having the upper application, means for maintaining the connection between the upper application and the intermediate communication layer at the same time, and the physical circuit is disconnected. for logical network path in the state, means for periodically checking that it is in communication is ready with the other system, the 1
When communication between two programs becomes necessary,
The connection between the line connection layer and the line connection layer of the other system.
Means for reconnecting a connection , the network path disconnection / reconnection method.