JP3063225B2 - Gateway communication parameter setting device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a self-network,
This self-network relates to an apparatus for setting communication parameters of a gateway that causes data exchange with another system having a different communication protocol or the like according to specifications according to the set communication parameters.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, gateways have been used to exchange data with other systems having different communication protocols. A known gateway is provided with a plurality of communication protocols so that a set value of a communication parameter can be changed according to a communication protocol adopted by a system of a connection partner.

[0003]

In the conventional gateway, when setting communication parameters according to a connection partner, the gateway function is temporarily stopped each time, and an input device such as a keyboard connected to the gateway is used. Had been set. Therefore, there has been a problem that it is not possible to quickly respond to various requests of the user of the terminal device such as a terminal computer or other appropriate input device connected to the gateway's own network.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and enables a terminal device connected to a gateway's own network to easily set communication parameters of the gateway, thereby quickly responding to various requests of a user of the terminal device. The task is to be able to do so.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems Next, the invention of the present application devised to solve the above-mentioned problems will be described. For simplicity, the reference numerals of the elements of the embodiment are enclosed in parentheses. The reason why the present invention is described in correspondence with the reference numerals of the embodiments described below is to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and not to limit the scope of the present invention to the embodiments. In order to solve the above problem, a communication parameter setting device for a gateway according to the present invention includes a communication parameter setting device for setting a communication parameter according to a communication parameter setting request transmitted from a terminal device (U3) of its own network (L1). Means (9) for exchanging data between its own network (L1) and another system (L2) according to the specifications according to the set communication parameters.
1), parameter initial value storage means (21) for storing initial values of communication parameters, and initial value reading means (32) for reading parameter initial values stored in the parameter initial value storage means (21). Read parameter storing means (35) for storing the parameter initial value, parameter changing means (36) for changing the parameter initial value stored in the read parameter storing means (35), and parameter changing means (36). A terminal device (U3) including a parameter setting request content transmitting means (33) for transmitting the changed parameter change value to the gateway (U1) as the parameter setting request content.

[0006]

The gateway (U) of the present invention having the above configuration
In the 1) communication parameter setting device, the initial values of the communication parameters are stored in the parameter initial value storage means (21). When the user of the terminal device (U3) performs data exchange by connecting to another system, the user is stored in the parameter initial value storage device (21) by the initial value reading device (32) of the terminal device (U3). Read the parameter initial value. The read parameter initial value is stored in the read parameter storage means (35). The parameter initial value stored in the read parameter storage means (35) is changed by the parameter change means (36). The communication parameter changed by the parameter changing means (36) is transmitted to the parameter setting request content transmitting means (3
According to 3), the communication parameter setting request is transmitted to the gateway (U1).

The communication parameter setting means (9) of the gateway (U1) sets communication parameters in accordance with the communication parameter setting request transmitted from the terminal device (U3) of the own network (L1). The gateway (U1) exchanges data between its own network (L1) and another system according to the specifications according to the set communication parameters.

[0008]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a communication parameter setting device for a gateway according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a software module of a gateway communication parameter setting device U according to an embodiment of the present invention (a functional block diagram showing software functions and hardware functions related to the functions), and FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example initial value setting flow, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a parameter setting flow of the embodiment.

In FIG. 1, a gateway communication parameter setting device U includes a gateway U1 for performing data communication according to specifications according to set communication parameters, and a directory service U2 connected to the own network L1.
And a terminal computer U3 as a terminal device. The gateway U1 is connected to another system (not shown) via a transmission line L2. Next, the gateway U1, the directory service U2, and the terminal computer U3 will be described in detail.

The gateway U1 is an apparatus for exchanging data between its own network and another system having a different communication protocol or the like from the own network in accordance with the set communication parameters. Are provided. Each of the elements 1 to 13 has a function of describing a line after a colon (colon).

Input device 1: The input device 1 is composed of a keyboard and is used to input initial values of communication parameters. The communication parameters include information associated with each protocol, in addition to the type of communication protocol, communication speed, telephone number, and the like. Next, examples of communication parameters will be described. For example, when performing asynchronous TTY (TeleType) communication, it is necessary to set the following communication parameters.
Communication method (full or half duplex), communication speed, stop bit length, character bit length, parity method,
For example, when performing SNA (Systems Network Architecture) communication, it is necessary to set the following communication parameters. Communication method (full-duplex or half-duplex), communication speed, signal method, controller address (gateway address), LU type (protocol type),

Input control unit 2: The input control unit 2 transfers the contents input from the input device 1, that is, the communication parameter initial values, to the directory service registration unit 3. Directory service registration unit 3: The directory service registration unit 3 stores the communication parameter initial values input from the input control unit 2 through the own network communication control unit 4 together with the address of the gateway device 3 and the directory service U2 according to the protocol of the own network. Register with. A self-network communication control unit 4: the self-network communication control unit 4
Has a function of assembling the input data into transmission data having a format required for transmission by adding a header (identifier) or the like to the input data from the server according to the communication protocol of the own network. The self-network communication control unit 4 has a function of decomposing data received from another system into a header (identifier), content (content), and the like according to a communication protocol, and extracting only necessary received data (data corresponding to the content). have.

Gateway management unit 5: The gateway management unit 5 is a unit for setting communication parameters in response to a connection request input from the terminal computer U3 via the self-network communication control unit 4. The client reception unit 6
And a protocol driver management unit 7. Client accepting unit 6: The client accepting unit 6 checks the contents of the communication parameter connection request passed at the time of the connection request from the terminal computer U3, and inquires of the protocol driver management unit 7 whether communication is possible. Also,
The response information (error notification, connection completion notification, etc.) from the protocol management unit 7 is transmitted to the terminal computer U3 via the self network communication control unit 4.

Protocol driver management unit 7: The protocol driver management unit 7 is a protocol driver information storage unit 8 that holds information on the protocol drivers 10 to 12 supported by the gateway U 1, and a communication parameter setting for setting communication parameters. Means 9 are provided. Then, it checks whether or not the communication setting contents can be supported according to the communication parameter connection request contents passed from the client accepting unit 6 (whether the protocol types match or the communication setting can be processed by the communication LSI 13). Etc.), and return an error notification if it cannot be supported. If the content of the communication parameter setting request passed from the client accepting unit 6 can be supported, the communication parameter setting means 9 sets communication parameters according to the content of the communication parameter setting request. In that case, the protocol drivers 10 to 1 according to the set communication parameters
2 starts (for example, the terminal computer U
3 requests the SNA communication, the protocol driver 10 starts).

Protocol drivers 10 to 12: The gateway U1 of this embodiment has three types of protocol drivers: an SNA protocol driver 10, an OSI protocol driver 11, and a TTY protocol driver 12.
It has. Note that the type and number of protocol drivers can be other types and numbers. Protocol driver 10 started according to the set communication parameters
12 to 12 issue a communication setting instruction to the communication LSI 13 and start connection with another network or device. If the connection cannot be established, an error notification is returned.
If the connection is established, the terminal computer U3 is notified of the fact. At this time, communication is established between the terminal computer U3 of the own network L1 and another system (not shown) connected via the transmission line L2. Communication LSI 13: The communication LSI 13 demodulates a modulated reception signal input from another system via the transmission line L2 and converts the demodulated reception signal into reception data that can be processed by a corresponding protocol driver, or transmits from a protocol driver. It modulates data and sends it out to the transmission line.

The directory service U2 has a communication parameter initial value storage means 21. Then, the communication parameter initial value storage means 21 stores the communication parameter initial value transmitted together with the address of the gateway device 3 from the directory service registration unit 3 of the gateway U1 through the input control unit 2 and the self network communication control unit 4. Remember.

The terminal computer U3 includes elements 31 to 36 described below, and these elements 31 to 36 are described below.
36 has been described following them: after the (colon), it has the function of describing a new line. Communication control unit 31:
The communication control unit 31 has a function of transmitting and receiving data to and from the gateway U1 or directory service U2 according to the communication protocol of its own network, and includes an initial value reading unit 32 and a parameter setting request content transmitting unit 33. . -Initial value reading means 32: The initial value reading means 32 reads communication parameter initial values from the communication parameter initial value storage means 21 of the directory service U2. -Parameter setting request content transmitting means 33:
The parameter setting request content transmitting unit 33 transmits the data created by the data creating unit 34 described later, that is, the communication parameter setting request content to the gateway U1.

Data creation unit 34: Data creation unit 34
Has a function of modifying data received through the communication control unit 31 and creating data to be transmitted from the communication control unit 31, and includes a read parameter storage unit 35 and a parameter change unit 36. Read parameter storage means 35: The read parameter storage means 35 stores the communication parameter initial values read from the communication parameter initial value storage means 21 of the directory service U2 by the initial value reading means 32. .Parameter changing means 3
6: The parameter changing means 36 changes the read parameter initial value stored in the read parameter storage means 35 to create the communication parameter setting request contents.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow for storing communication parameter initial values in the communication parameter initial value storage means 21 of the directory service U2, that is, an initial value setting flow. This flow is performed by software or a program of the gateway U1. FIG.
In step S1, when the initial value setting flow is started, it is determined in step S1 whether the initial value setting has been completed.
If no (N), step S1 is repeatedly executed.
When the user inputs the initial value of the parameter from the input device 1 of the gateway U1 and presses the input end key, the answer is YES (Y) in step S1. In this case, the process moves to the next step S2. In step S2, the communication parameter setting contents (that is, the initial setting values of the communication parameters) are stored in the communication parameter initial value storage means 21 of the directory service U2. Then, the initial value setting flow ends.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a parameter setting flow for setting communication parameters in the communication parameter setting means 9 of the gateway U1. This flow is performed by software, that is, a program of the gateway U1 and the terminal computer U3. In FIG. 3, when the parameter setting flow is started, the communication control unit 31 of the terminal computer U3 reads the communication parameter initial value from the directory service U2 in step S11 and stores it in the read parameter storage unit 35. Next, in step S12, it is determined whether or not the communication parameter setting request content creation has been completed. If no (N), step S12 is repeatedly executed. When it is necessary to change the communication parameter initial value stored in the read parameter storage unit 35, the user uses the parameter change unit 36 of the terminal computer U3 to store the communication parameter initial value stored in the read parameter storage unit 35. Change the communication parameter initial value. Then, when the key for instructing the end of the change of the initial value of the communication parameter is pressed, the answer is yes (Y) in step S12, and the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the communication control unit 3
The first parameter setting request content transmitting means 33 transmits the communication parameters changed in step S12 to the gateway U1 as parameter setting request contents,
A connection request (connection request with another system) is issued to the gateway U1.

In step S14, it is determined whether a protocol driver corresponding to the communication protocol requested by the parameter setting request is registered in the gateway U1. If yes (Y), the process moves to step S15. In step S15, it is determined whether or not the content of the parameter setting request can be supported by the communication LSI 13. If yes (Y), the process moves to step S16. In step S16, connection with another system requested to be connected is started. Next, in step S17, it is determined whether or not connection with another system has been established. If yes (Y), the process moves to step S18. In step S18, the connection completion is notified to the terminal computer U3, and the parameter setting flow ends. In steps S14, S15 and S16,
If no (N), the process moves to step S19. Then, in step S19, the occurrence of the error is notified to the terminal computer U3.
To end the parameter setting flow. Communication is started after the parameter setting flow is completed.

Although the embodiment of the communication parameter setting device of the gateway according to the present invention has been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but deviates from the present invention described in the claims. Various small design changes can be made without doing so. For example, the gateway U
1 is provided with a plurality of communication ports, and the client receiving unit 6, the protocol driver management unit 7, and the protocol drivers 10 to 12 are provided with a function of identifying the communication ports, so that the terminal computer U3 can individually operate for each communication port. It can be configured to instruct communication settings. Also, communication parameter initial value storage means 2
1 can be provided in the gateway U1 or a specific terminal computer U3 instead of being provided in the directory service U2.

[0024]

The gateway communication parameter setting apparatus of the present invention can easily set the gateway communication parameters from a terminal device (client) connected to the gateway's own network. Can quickly respond to various requests of the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a communication parameter setting device of a gateway according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an initial value setting flow of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a parameter setting flow of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

L1: own network, L2: other system, U1: gateway, U3: terminal device, 9: communication parameter setting means, 21: parameter initial value storage means, 32: initial value reading means, 33: parameter setting request content transmitting means , 3
5 ... readout parameter storage means, 36 ... parameter change means

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-72842 (JP, A) JP-A-3-247144 (JP, A) JP-A-2-235462 (JP, A) JP-A-63-276943 (JP) JP-A-62-269437 (JP, A) JP-A-62-230134 (JP, A) JP-A-62-197850 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB G06F 13/00 351 H04L 12/28 H04L 29/06

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A communication parameter setting unit configured to set a communication parameter in response to a communication parameter setting request transmitted from a terminal device of the own network, wherein data exchange between the own network and another system is performed. A gateway which performs the specification according to the communication parameter, parameter initial value storage means for storing the initial value of the communication parameter, initial value reading means for reading the parameter initial value stored in the parameter initial value storage means, Read parameter storage means for storing the parameter initial value, parameter change means for changing the parameter initial value stored in the read parameter storage means, and the parameter change value changed by the parameter change means as the parameter setting request contents Parameters to be sent to the gateway A communication parameter setting device for a gateway, comprising: a terminal device including a meter setting request content transmitting unit.