JP3080811B2 - Network system and communication method thereof - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a local area network (LAN) system for accommodating a plurality of terminals and performing communication between the terminals, and more particularly to a network system for performing communication in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM). So
Communication method .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) has been attracting attention as a technique for speeding up transmission / switching techniques. ATM is a technology which aims at hardware implementation of packet switching and facilitating high-speed information transmission / exchange by transferring all information in fixed length / short packets called cells.

[0003] Since ATM is regarded as a "promised solution" of the future broadband integrated services digital network (B-ISDN), in order to enhance interoperability to a wide area network, for example, one floor is limited. In recent years, research and development on a so-called ATM-LAN in which an ATM technology is applied to a network having a service area of a designated area, that is, a local area network (LAN), have been active. However, ATMs that have been researched and developed
-The LAN has the following problems.

[0004] The ATM communication network basically provides connection-oriented communication at the ATM layer. In the conventional ATM-LAN, a function of setting a connection to a terminal connected thereto is provided as a network-side function. Conventionally, networked services provided on a LAN such as a distributed operating system are often used. When a terminal attempts to use a service, a host that provides the service to be used is broadcast to the LAN. The technique of "searching by searching" must use the one provided as a network side function. That is, the independence of the terminal from the network side function is low. As a result, this implies a serious disadvantage that the functions of the networked service are limited by the network-side functions.

[0005]

As described above, the conventional ATM-LAN has a problem that the independence of the terminal from the network is low.

[0006] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a network system and a communication method thereof that can increase the independence of terminals.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above problems, a network system according to the present invention comprises
The main point is that the connection is set by controlling the VP / VC link setting function and the VP / VC link connection function, which are required when setting a connection on the network system, according to an instruction from the terminal.

[0008] That is, the network system according to the present invention is connected to a plurality of nodes, each of which is provided with an identifier defined by the global unit, and communicates with each of the plurality of nodes in an asynchronous transfer mode. A plurality of terminal devices, each of which is assigned a globally unique identifier, and is provided in at least one of the plurality of terminal devices for transferring a broadcast cell, between the plurality of nodes, and between the node and the terminal device. Connection setting processing means for transmitting a link setting request for setting a virtual path or a virtual channel link on a transmission path and a link connection request for connecting the set links, the node and the terminal device Are connected, and the connection setting process means A broadcast channel for transmitting the link setting request, the link connection request, and the identifier as a part of the destination address as a message to a node, and a link setting request from the broadcast channel provided in each of the nodes. A node setting process means for receiving the link connection request and the identifier, recognizing the terminal device based on the identifier, and setting and connecting the link according to the link setting request and the link connection request. It is characterized by. Another network system according to the present invention is a plurality of nodes, each of which is provided with an identifier defined globally unique, and is connected to the plurality of nodes and communicates with each other in an asynchronous transfer mode, A plurality of terminal devices, each of which is assigned a globally unique identifier and transfers a broadcast cell, and a link setting for setting a virtual path or virtual channel link provided in at least one of the plurality of terminal devices Connection setting processing means for transmitting a link connection request for connecting the requested and set links, connecting the node and all of the terminal devices, and setting the link from the connection setting processing means to the node Request, link connection request, and part of destination address A broadcast channel comprising a communication transmission path formed in accordance with information set by a user for a port of each of the nodes, for transmitting the identifier as a message, and a broadcast channel provided at each of the nodes. A node setting process for receiving the link setting request, the link connection request, and the identifier from the terminal, recognizing the terminal device based on the identifier, and setting and connecting the link according to the link setting request and the link connection request. Means. Another network system according to the present invention is a plurality of nodes, each of which is provided with an identifier defined globally unique, and is connected to the plurality of nodes and communicates with each other in an asynchronous transfer mode, A plurality of terminal devices, each of which is assigned a globally unique identifier and transfers a broadcast cell, and a link setting for setting a virtual path or virtual channel link provided in at least one of the plurality of terminal devices Connection setting processing means for transmitting a link connection request for connecting the requested and set links, connecting the node and all of the terminal devices, and setting the link from the connection setting processing means to the node Request, link connection request, and part of destination address And a broadcast channel for transmitting the identifier as a message, provided in each of the nodes, receives the link setting request, the link connection request, and the identifier from the broadcast channel, and based on the identifier, the terminal Node setting process means for recognizing the device, setting and linking the link according to the link setting request and the link connection request, and comprising an identifier of a processing means for processing the message, The identifier is given in advance by the terminal device or the node including the processing means, and is used as a part of a destination address of a message on the broadcast channel. Another network system according to the present invention is a plurality of nodes, each of which is provided with an identifier defined globally unique, and is connected to the plurality of nodes and communicates with each other in an asynchronous transfer mode, A plurality of terminal devices, each of which is assigned a globally unique identifier and transfers a broadcast cell, and a link setting for setting a virtual path or virtual channel link provided in at least one of the plurality of terminal devices Connection setting process means for transmitting a link connection request for connecting a request and a set link, and connecting all of the nodes and the terminal devices;
A broadcast channel for transmitting the link setting request, the link connection request, and the identifier as a part of the destination address as a message from the connection setting process means to the node, and a broadcast channel provided in each of the nodes; Node setting process means for receiving the link setting request, the link connection request, and the identifier, recognizing the terminal device based on the identifier, and setting and connecting the link according to the link setting request and the link connection request Wherein each of the nodes comprises a plurality of ports connected to form a tree-like topology, and a plurality of ports for connecting ports to either the node side or the leaf side of the tree-like topology. And a switch. Another network system according to the present invention is a plurality of nodes, each of which is provided with an identifier defined globally unique, and is connected to the plurality of nodes and communicates with each other in an asynchronous transfer mode, A plurality of terminal devices, each of which is assigned a globally unique identifier and transfers a broadcast cell, and a link setting for setting a virtual path or virtual channel link provided in at least one of the plurality of terminal devices Connection setting processing means for transmitting a link connection request for connecting the requested and set links, connecting the node and all of the terminal devices, and setting the link from the connection setting processing means to the node Request, link connection request above,
And a broadcast channel for transmitting the identifier as a message as a part of the destination address as a message, provided in each of the nodes, receiving the link setting request, the link connection request, and the identifier from the broadcast channel, and Node setting process means for recognizing the terminal device based on the link setting request and the link connection request and setting and connecting the link according to the link setting request and the link connection request, each of the nodes for transmitting a broadcast cell. Two independent lines, a line and a line for transmitting other types of cells;
Back pressure applying means for applying back pressure to the stream of the other type of cell in order to insert the broadcast cell into the stream of the other type of cell.
Another network system according to the present invention is provided in a plurality of nodes, a plurality of terminal devices connected to the plurality of nodes and communicating with each other in an asynchronous transfer mode, and at least one of the plurality of terminal devices. Transmitting a link setting request for setting a virtual path or a virtual channel link on the transmission path between the plurality of nodes and between the node and the terminal device, and a link connection request for connecting the set links. Connection setting process means for connecting the node and the terminal device, and having a communication path formed according to information set by a user for each port of each node,
A broadcast channel for transmitting a message including the link setting request and the link connection request from the connection setting process means to the node; and a broadcast channel provided in each of the nodes, wherein the broadcast channel transmits the link setting request and the link. A plurality of node setting process means for receiving the connection request, setting and connecting the link according to the link setting request and the link connection request. Another network system according to the present invention is provided in a plurality of nodes, a plurality of terminal devices connected to the plurality of nodes and communicating with each other in an asynchronous transfer mode, and at least one of the plurality of terminal devices. Transmitting a link setting request for setting a virtual path or a virtual channel link on the transmission path between the plurality of nodes and between the node and the terminal device, and a link connection request for connecting the set links. Connection setting process means for connecting the node and the terminal device, and transmitting a message including the link setting request and the link connection request from the connection setting process means to the node. And the broadcast channel provided in each of the nodes. Receiving the link setup request and the link connection request from, characterized by comprising a plurality of nodes setting process means for connecting set the link in accordance with the link setting request and the link connection request.

Another network system according to the present invention is a network system in which a plurality of terminal devices are connected to perform data communication between the terminal devices. A first transmission unit for transmitting a predetermined signal to the device to obtain the device number information, and a device transmitted from the other terminal device in response to the predetermined signal transmitted by the first transmission unit; Transmitting means for transmitting the number information of the terminal device by a broadcast method, and a database relating to the network configuration in at least one of the plurality of terminal devices based on the number information of the equipment transmitted by the second transmitting means. And a recognition unit for generating and recognizing the device configuration. Another network system according to the present invention is a network system that connects a plurality of terminal devices and performs data communication between the terminal devices. In a network system, a predetermined terminal device connects to another terminal device connected to the terminal device. Transmission means for transmitting a predetermined signal to acquire the device number information and physical layer speed information, and the other terminal device in response to the predetermined signal transmitted by the first transmission means. Transmission means for transmitting the device number information and the physical layer speed information by a broadcast method from the device, and the plurality of terminals based on the device number information and the physical layer speed information transmitted by the second transmission means. At least one of the devices creates a database relating to the network configuration and the physical layer speed, and recognizes the device configuration. And it features. A network communication method according to the present invention is a network communication method for connecting a plurality of terminal devices via a network and performing data communication between the terminal devices, wherein the other terminal device connected to the terminal device from a predetermined terminal device is provided. A predetermined signal is transmitted to the terminal device so as to acquire the device number information and the physical layer speed information, and the device number information and the physical layer are transmitted from the other terminal device in response to the transmitted predetermined signal. Transmitting speed information by a broadcast method, creating a database relating to a network configuration and a physical layer speed in at least one of the plurality of terminal devices based on the transmitted device number information and physical layer speed information, Another network system according to the present invention, which recognizes a configuration, connects a plurality of terminal devices. In a network system for performing data communication between the terminal devices, a first signal is transmitted from a predetermined terminal device to another terminal device connected to the terminal device in order to acquire device number information. Transmission means, and second transmission means for transmitting, in a broadcast system, device number information from the other terminal device in response to the predetermined signal transmitted by the first transmission means,
Recognizing means for creating a database relating to a network configuration in at least one of the plurality of terminal devices based on the device number information transmitted by the second transmitting device, and recognizing the device configuration; Data communication between the terminal devices is performed based on the device configuration recognized by the recognition means. Another network system according to the present invention includes a plurality of nodes, and a plurality of terminal devices connected to the plurality of nodes and communicating with each other in an asynchronous transfer mode, wherein each of the plurality of nodes is Transmitting a broadcast cell from one of the terminal devices to another terminal device and a node setting process means for controlling the node, and transmitting a user cell from one of the plurality of terminal devices to the other between the two selected devices. An ATM switch for exchanging user cells, a bus for exchanging broadcast cells,
Means for transmitting the broadcast cell to an output port corresponding to the ATM switch in order to output the broadcast cell to an interface point. Another network system according to the present invention is provided in a plurality of nodes, a plurality of terminal devices connected to the plurality of nodes and communicating with each other in an asynchronous transfer mode, and at least one of the plurality of terminal devices. And
A link setting request for setting a link of a virtual path or a virtual channel on a transmission path between the plurality of nodes and between the node and the terminal device, and a link connection request for connecting the set links. Connection setting process means, a broadcast channel for connecting the node and all of the terminal devices, transmitting the link setting request and the link connection request as a message from the connection setting processing means to the node, and And a node setting process means for receiving the link setting request and the link connection request from the broadcast channel, and setting and connecting the link according to the link setting request and the link connection request. Terminal device and the plurality Each of the nodes is provided with a globally unique identifier used as a part of the destination address of the message on the broadcast channel. The broadcast address is common to all of the terminal devices, An address is reserved as a destination address of the message on the broadcast channel. Another network system according to the present invention is provided in a plurality of nodes, a plurality of terminal devices connected to the plurality of nodes and communicating with each other in an asynchronous transfer mode, and at least one of the plurality of terminal devices. Transmitting a link setting request for setting a virtual path or a virtual channel link on the transmission path between the plurality of nodes and between the node and the terminal device, and a link connection request for connecting the set links. A connection setting process means for connecting the node and all of the terminal devices, a broadcast channel for transmitting the link setting request and the link connection request from the connection setting process means to the node as a message, Provided in each of the above broadcast channels And a node setting process means for receiving the link setting request and the link connection request, and setting and connecting the link according to the link setting request and the link connection request. When receiving the message from one of the nodes, the plurality of nodes, the transmission line traversed by the requested connection, and the virtual path identifier or a set of virtual paths and virtual channels to be allocated for all determined transmission lines Determining and transmitting the link setup request and the link connection request including the virtual path identifier or the set of virtual paths and virtual channels.

[0010] Another network communication method according to the present invention is a network communication method for connecting a plurality of terminal devices via a network and performing data communication between the terminal devices, wherein at least one of the plurality of terminal devices is used. A network communication method, comprising recognizing the configuration of the network, and performing data transmission from one terminal device to another terminal device according to the recognized configuration. Further, in such a network communication method, the configuration of the network is recognized at the time of startup. Further, in such a network communication method, when performing configuration recognition, information for performing configuration recognition is notified from a terminal device to all devices in the network. Further, upon recognizing the configuration of the network, information indicating an attribute of the terminal device, for example, information of a physical layer speed, is transmitted by broadcast from the terminal device to a device connected to another network. . Further, another network communication method according to the present invention connects a plurality of terminal devices,
In the network communication method for performing data communication between terminal devices, at least one of the network devices performs the data communication.
A connection setting request message including information on a bandwidth required for a connection required for performing the data communication from one terminal device to another terminal device, and receiving at least one terminal device receiving the connection setting request message; Is characterized in that the above connection is set.

[0011]

In the network system configured as described above, when a terminal sends a link setup request and a link connection request, these are transferred to each node via a broadcast channel, so that a virtual path or virtual channel is used. Link setting and linking are performed. That is, the terminal can autonomously set a connection on the network system.
Therefore, a connection suitable for an application on the terminal can be set, and a network system with improved independence of the terminal can be provided.

In addition, a plurality of nodes are connected in a tree shape, and a switch for setting which of the nodes accommodated on the node side or the leaf side of the tree is provided in each node. If the handling of a broadcast cell that broadcasts to all terminals is determined in a predetermined manner based on the information specified by the mechanical switch, the node can transmit a message to all terminals immediately after power-on. Since the channel can be provided, the terminal can obtain information necessary for connection setting using the broadcast channel.

Further, the node is provided with a path for transferring the broadcast cell and a path for transferring the cell other than the broadcast cell independently, and when inserting the broadcast cell into the cell stream other than the broadcast cell, By applying the back pressure, it is possible to transfer a cell on the broadcast channel with priority over other cells with a simple configuration.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an ATM according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing a basic configuration of a LAN system. As shown in the figure, this ATM-LAN system is roughly divided into a plurality of nodes 1 each accommodating a plurality of ports, a plurality of terminals 2 arranged in a limited area, and a broadcast channel 3. Become. Each node 1 is provided with a node setting process 11, and at least one of the terminals 2 is provided with a connection setting process 21 in addition to a terminal setting process described later.

The connection setting process 21 performs a VP (virtual path) or VC
(Virtual channel) VP / VC link setting request 22 for setting VP / VC link 4, and VP / VC
It has a function of sending a VP / VC link connection request 23 for connecting the VP / VC link connection unit 5 for connecting the link 4. Further, the node setting process 11 receives the link setting request 22 and the link connection request 23 transferred by the broadcast channel 4 and receives the VP / VC
It has the function of setting and linking links.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ATM-LAN system of this embodiment from another viewpoint. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes an upper ATM communication network accommodating an ATM-LAN; 1011, an ATM-LA in the upper ATM communication network;
, 1026 are nodes, 1031, 1032,..., 1039 are ATM-LA.
N is a terminal accommodated in N. As shown in the figure, the ATM-LAN system according to the present embodiment is characterized in that each node is connected by a transmission line in a tree shape. As is well known, the tree topology has a property that the throughput of the entire network is determined by the throughput near the root. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of transmission lines for connecting between nodes near the route are provided to improve the throughput near the route, thereby solving this problem. Note that the optimal number of transmission paths between nodes is A
A major feature of this embodiment is that the number of transmission paths between nodes can be freely set by the user, since the nature of the distributed application executed on the TM-LAN and the traffic amount greatly vary. Have.

In FIG. 2, the ATM-LAN accommodating device 1011 is located at the root of the ATM-LAN arranged in a tree shape because of the terminal and the upper ATM communication network 10.
This is to prevent the traffic in the ATM-LAN from being squeezed by the traffic with 1.

Next, the AT of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The function, operation, and configuration of the M-LAN system will be described in detail. In the ATM-LAN according to the prior art, as described above, a request from a terminal is received within the ATM-LAN and the VP /
A major feature of the ATM-LAN of the present invention is that it is defined as a user-side function, whereas the function of setting up a VC connection (this is called a connection setting process) is defined as a network-side function. ing.
That is, the connection setting process is performed for the terminals 1031 to 1010.
Riding on any of 39. The connection setting process is mainly performed, and the nodes 1021 to 102
6 and between the terminal, the terminal and the ATM-L
Connection between the AN accommodating apparatuses 1011, ie, VP /
Set the VC connection.

On the other hand, the user gets on each node and sets the VP / VC link and V under the control of the connection setting process.
A process having a function of connecting P / VC links is called a node setting process. Furthermore, each terminal, ATM-
The ATM layer functions of these devices are also controlled on the LAN accommodating device under the control of the connection setting process.
The process of setting the P / VC link rides. These are called a terminal setting process and an ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process, respectively.

In this embodiment, each node is assigned a node number which is determined globally uniquely at the time of manufacturing. Also, each terminal is given a globally unique node number in the same number space as the node number given to each node at the time of manufacture. Furthermore, ATM-LA
The N accommodation device 1011 is also given a globally unique node number in the same number space as the node number given to each node at the time of manufacture. Using these node numbers, the connection setting process identifies the node setting process, the terminal setting process, and the ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process. Here, for the sake of explanation,
It is assumed that node numbers are assigned as shown in FIG. Further, a port number is assigned to each transmission line accommodated by each node. In FIG. 2, a number described near a solid line indicating connection with an adjacent node indicates a port number. The node number is, for example, a distributed OS.
ATM-LAN like file identifier in
It can also be used as a part of various identifiers that need to be unique within.

Next, the interaction between the connection setting process and the node setting process / terminal setting process / ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process will be described in detail. Here, the description will be given on the assumption that the connection setting process is on the terminal 1031.
It should be noted that in the interaction described below, the connection setting process can be carried on any terminal accommodated in the ATM-LAN of this embodiment.

Next, the schematic operation of the connection setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Terminal 10
When the connection setting process is started on the server 31 (step 201), the connection setting process first recognizes the configuration, that is, the operation for knowing the configuration of the ATM-LAN in a range where the connection setting process can set the VP / VC connection. (Step 202). From the information obtained by this configuration recognition, the connection setting process knows the configuration of the ATM-LAN managed by itself,
Respond to external connection setting requests.

After that, it waits for a request from the outside, and if the request is accepted, performs an operation defined for each type of request.

In the connection setting process, when a connection setting request is received from the outside, connection setting is performed between terminals, between terminals and nodes, or between terminals and ATM-LAN accommodating devices in accordance with the connection setting request (step 204). ). This connection setting
Between terminal and node, between nodes, between node and AT
The connection setting process sends out a request to set up a VP / VC link on the transmission path between the M-LAN accommodating devices, that is, the above-mentioned VP / VC setting request, and the broadcast channel sends the request to the terminal / node / ATM- LA
N VP / V
The request to connect the C link, that is, the VP /
The VC link connection request is transmitted by the connection setting process, and the broadcast channel is similarly transferred to the node.

On the other hand, when a connection release request is received from the outside, the connection setting process releases the connection in accordance with the connection release request (step 205). This connection release is performed in the state set by the connection setting, that is, between the terminal and the node,
The connection setting process sends a release request for a VP / VC link set on a transmission path between nodes and between the node and the ATM-LAN accommodating device, and the broadcast channel is transferred to the terminal / node / ATM-LAN accommodating device. Then, the connection setting process sends a request to release the connection of the VP / VC link, and the broadcast channel is transferred to the node.

In a distributed environment, a service provided by another person is checked at present and a service provided by another person is used, that is, service networking is often performed. In the ATM-LAN of the present embodiment, the connection setting service is also a target of service networking like other services (for example, network file service). Therefore, the connection setting process has a function of receiving an external connection setting service search request and responding to the search request (step 206).

Also, in case the configuration of the ATM-LAN of this embodiment is changed, the configuration may be recognized again at a predetermined time interval, for example, every minute (step 203). This predetermined time interval is
As is well known, it can be easily realized by giving a timer interrupt to a processor executing the process by a programmable timer.

Next, the schematic operation of the node setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the node setting process is started in each of the nodes 1021 to 1026, it immediately waits for a request from the outside, and if the request is accepted, performs an operation defined for each type of request.

First, the node setting process is interrupted by a timer every predetermined time, for example, every second. When a timer interrupt occurs, the node setting process monitors and controls the physical layer functions (bit synchronization, frame synchronization, cell synchronization) for each of the ports accommodated by the node on which the process is mounted (step 302i). . The method of monitoring and controlling here varies greatly depending on the physical layer function, but does not affect the effectiveness of the present invention at all. However, on the transmitting side of the physical layer function, it is assumed that a bit string that can be used for bit synchronization, frame synchronization, and cell synchronization by an opposing device is always transmitted after power is turned on.

When the monitoring of the physical layer of each port is completed, the number of timer interrupts is counted, and whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, a surplus when the count of timer interrupts is divided by 128). Is 0) (step 303). If the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the process returns to waiting for a request from the outside, and if the predetermined condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to the next step.

In the next step, for each port, the physical layer of the port can communicate with an adjacent node, that is, a node, a terminal or an ATM-LAN accommodating device directly connected by a transmission line, that is, the state of the transmission line. If the bit synchronization, the frame synchronization, and the cell synchronization have been established, an operation for obtaining the node number of the adjacent node is performed (step 304i). This adjacent node number is used for the configuration recognition performed by the above-described connection setting process (step 203).
Is a basis for knowing the configuration of the ATM-LAN managed by the connection setting process. The terminal / node / ATM-L is newly connected to the ATM-LAN by periodically executing the processing of step 304i.
It is possible to automatically notify the connection setting process that the AN accommodating device is connected or that such devices are deleted.

When the adjacent node requests the node number of the node in the adjacent node number securing step (step 304i), the node setting process directs the message created from the own node number to the requested port. (Step 305). This allows
Enable each node to get the neighbor node number.

On the other hand, when the connection setting process issues a configuration recognition request in step 203, it is transmitted to each node. Upon receiving the configuration recognition request, each node setting process sends information such as the adjacent node number obtained at that time to the connection setting process (step 306). The details of the information sent to the node setting process will be described later.

When the connection setting process issues a VP / VC link setting request to the designated node related to the connection setting and a connection request of the VP / VC link in step 203, the designated node sends the VP / VC link according to the request. / VC link is set, and the VP / VC link is connected (step 307).

Further, when the connection setting process issues a VP / VC link setting release request to the designated node involved in the connection release and a VP / VC link connection release request in step 204, the designated node issues the request. Release the VP / VC link setting in accordance with
The connection of the VC link is also released (step 308).

When the connection setting process and the node setting process are executed in a distributed manner as described above, a message is lost due to, for example, a bit error or the like, and the connection setting process recognizes that the connection setting process requests the setting.
A discrepancy may occur between the P / VC link group and the VP / VC link group actually set by the node setting process. In the ATM-LAN of the present embodiment, the connection setting process issues a confirmation request for the VP / VC link group set in the node to each node setting process so that the connection setting process can discover the discrepancy. I can do it. Upon receiving this node setting confirmation request, the node setting process sends back information on the VP / VC link set in the node to the connection setting process as a message (step 309).

Next, the schematic operation of the terminal setting process / ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Each terminal 1031 to 104
3. When the terminal setting process / ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process is started in the ATM-LAN accommodating device 1011, it immediately waits for a request from the outside. If the request is accepted, the operation defined for each type of request is performed. Do. This operation is almost the same as the node setting process, and differs from the node setting process in that the number of ports accommodated by each device is 1, so that physical layer monitoring control is only one port, Is that there is no step to secure The reason for eliminating the step of securing the adjacent node number is that if only the node setting process performs these operations, the entire configuration of the ATM-LAN can be notified to the connection setting process.

Next, the operation of each step shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 will be described in more detail. Here, in order to realize these steps and the interaction between the connection setting process and the node setting process / terminal setting process / ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process, each node configuring the ATM-LAN of the present embodiment includes:
For example, when the present inventors disclosed a basic function of an ATM switch as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-100449, that is, a cell input from an arbitrary input port is transferred to a predetermined port. At the same time, the VPI of the cell
It has the following functions in addition to the function of rewriting the / VCI area to a predetermined value.

That is, a message transmitted by one of the node setting process, the terminal setting process, and the ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process is transmitted to the ATM.
It has a function of transferring to all node setting processes, terminal setting processes, and ATM-LNA accommodating device setting processes belonging to the LAN. Here, this function is called the aforementioned broadcast channel. The method of realizing the broadcast channel will be described later in detail.

Using this broadcast channel,
Among the terminals belonging to the ATM-LAN of the present embodiment, the node number of the terminal that provides the specified service or has the specified node name and the node name added to the device having the specified node number It becomes possible to know. Here, the node name is an alias added to the terminal, the ATM-LAN accommodating device, and the node in order to identify the device with an identifier that is easy to store.

Hereinafter, the operation of each step shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 will be described in detail. In the following description, a group of messages used to execute each step is defined, and the format of these groups of messages will be described in detail separately.

First, a step of securing adjacent node information executed in the node setting process, step 304i
And the corresponding steps 305/403 for responding to the adjacent node information request will be described.

FIG. 6 shows an outline of an operation executed when each node obtains an adjacent node number. FIG. 5 shows a node 10 having a node number = 3 in the ATM-LAN shown in FIG.
23 are shown. As shown in FIG. 6, a node setting process is mounted on each node of the ATM-LAN of this embodiment, and a terminal setting process is mounted on each terminal. ATM-LA
It goes without saying that the ATM-LAN accommodation device setting process is on the N accommodation device.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the node setting process on each node and the terminal setting process on each terminal, a bidirectional communication path between the adjacent nodes is turned on, and a bit / It is always given after the frame / cell synchronization is established. The node setting process requests the transmission of the adjacent node number using the always-provided communication path between the adjacent nodes. The node setting process, the terminal setting process, and the ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process are performed by the adjacent node. Respond to the number transmission request.

Here, the node 102 with the node number = 3
The description will be given focusing on a sequence in which the node setting process 10231 on step 3 acquires an adjacent node number. It should be noted that this sequence is executed independently by the node setting process on each node constituting the ATM-LAN of this embodiment.

The node setting process 10231 mounted on the node 1023 is started after power is turned on, and first executes a predetermined procedure for establishing bit / frame / cell synchronization of the physical layer of each port. Immediately after the power is turned on, it is assumed that a predetermined bit string that can be synchronized with the bit / frame / cell is always transmitted from the transmitting side of each port of each node.
If the cell synchronization is established, the node setting process on the node 1023 can be interpreted that the power of the adjacent node is also turned on.

When bit / frame / cell synchronization is established, an adjacent node number request message is sent to each port in order to obtain an adjacent node number. In FIG. 6, the direction in which the adjacent node information number message is transmitted for the port of port number 1 is indicated by an arrow 501.

The node setting process of the node 1021 having the node number = 1 executes a predetermined procedure for establishing bit / frame / cell synchronization after power-on. The neighbor node number request message transmitted from the node 1023 is immediately transmitted to the node setting process on the node 1021 if the bit / frame / cell synchronization has been established as a result of the execution of the above defined procedure at the node 1021. Transferred to 10211.

Upon receiving the adjacent node number request message, the node setting process 10211 creates an adjacent node information number response message including the node number (= 1) of the node 1021 on which the node setting process 10211 is mounted, and is indicated by reference numeral 502. As shown by the arrow, the packet is transmitted to the node setting process 10231 of the node number 3.

The node setting process 10231 executes a predetermined procedure for establishing bit / frame / cell synchronization. If these synchronizations have been established, the adjacent node A number request response message can be received. With the above procedure, the node setting process of each node obtains the adjacent node number.

Next, the steps 202/203 of the configuration recognition executed in the connection setting process and the corresponding step 306 of responding to the configuration recognition request on the node setting process side will be described.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the outline of the operation executed by the configuration recognition in the connection setting process.
FIG. 7 shows a connection setting process (first transmission means) and a node setting process / terminal setting process / ATM-LAN on a device constituting an embodiment of the present invention at the time of configuration recognition.
FIG. 8 shows a logical image of information transmission by a broadcast channel during an accommodation device setting process (second transmission means) . FIG. , Respectively, are shown. In FIG. 7, the logical structure of the broadcast channel is represented in a bus format.

When performing the configuration recognition, the connection setting process 10312 on the terminal 1031 notifies all the devices in the ATM-LAN that the configuration is to be recognized.
(Arrow with reference numeral 602).

The configuration download request message on the broadcast channel 601 includes the node setting process 10211,... On the node 1021, the node setting process 10261 on the node 1026, the terminal setting process 10311,. The setting process 10431 is transferred to the ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process 10111 on the ATM-LAN accommodating device 1011 (reference numerals 6031, ..., 6036, 60401,
.., 60413, 6051).

When each node setting process, terminal setting process, and ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process receive the configuration siphoning request message, the processes are performed on the ports accommodated by the devices on which those processes are mounted. For a device that has been established up to cell synchronization and can perform communication using the physical layer, a configuration siphoning request response message is created, and the broadcast channel 6
01 (reference numerals 6061,..., 6066, 607)
01, ..., 60713, 6081). The configuration siphoning request response message includes a node indicating the configuration in the message, a node / port number of the port, a physical property of the port, and a type of a device on which those processes are mounted (node / terminal / ATM-LAN accommodating device). ), The type number of the device, the node number of the connected device to which the port is connected, and the like.

The configuration siphoning request response message sent to the broadcast channel 601 is sequentially transferred to the connection setting process 10312 (reference numeral 609).
With arrow). Connection setting process 10312
Creates / updates a database recording the configuration of the ATM-LAN according to the received configuration download request response message.

FIG. 8 illustrates the procedure described above along the time axis. In the figure, time elapses from top to bottom.

The connection setting process sends a configuration siphoning request message to the broadcast channel. The configuration download request message is sent to the node / terminal /
When the ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process receives it, it creates a corresponding configuration siphoning request response message and sends it out again to the broadcast channel. The configuration siphoning request response message created by each process is sequentially transferred to the connection setting process via the broadcast channel.

In the above-described procedure, the connection setting process can recognize the configuration. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the connection setting process is performed for the node 1023 having the node number = 3. The type of the device having the node number = 3 is a node. The device of node number 1 is connected. The device of node number 1 is connected to port 2 of node number = 3. The device of node number 1 is connected to port 3 of node number = 3. -The device with the node number 14 is connected to the port 4 with the node number = 3-The device with the node number 15 is connected to the port 5 with the node number = 3-The port 6 with the node number = 3 In this case, information that the device with the node number 6 is connected is obtained. Such information is obtained for all the constituent elements of the ATM-LAN within a range in which the connection setting process can set the VP / VC connection. Based on this, in the connection setting process, a database relating to the configuration of the ATM-LAN can be created, and the subsequent processing will proceed.

In the above-described procedure, the configuration recognition is performed by the AT
It is performed simultaneously for all devices that accommodate the M-LAN. From the viewpoint that the database relating to the configuration of the ATM-LAN managed by the connection setting process is matched as much as possible to the configuration of the ATM-LAN at that time, the above-mentioned protocol of "inquiring simultaneously to all components" is desirable. On the other hand,
When such a protocol is executed, the number of configuration download request response messages becomes enormous, and there is a concern that the throughput of the connection setting process is significantly reduced.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the connection setup process allows the connection setting process to select whether the configuration siphoning request message is to be broadcast to all terminals or transferred only to a device having a certain node number. Address the shortcomings described above. If a function that can make a configuration download request only to a device having a certain node number is used, for example, if the connection setting process starts up when the power is turned on, the configuration of the ATM-LAN is downloaded in the all terminal broadcast mode, and the subsequent timer is used. At the time of the interrupt, the AT that appeared in the message received from the
Inquires a device having a node number that does not exist in the database relating to the configuration of the M-LAN,
It is also possible to use a protocol that is desirable in terms of improving the throughput of the connection setting process, such as updating the database in response.

Next, step 206 of responding to the connection setting service search request executed in the connection setting process will be described.

The greatest feature of the ATM-LAN of this embodiment is that the connection setting process is a terminal-side function. Therefore, the connection setting process is A
In principle, which terminal in the TM-LAN is running is unknown to application processes on other terminals. For this reason, an application process on a certain terminal cannot request connection setting without knowing which terminal the connection setting process is on. The functions described here are provided in the present embodiment to cope with this situation.

The function described below is not only a connection setting service but also a terminal that provides other networked services, for example, an X-window.
It should be noted that a terminal such as a terminal having a server process of w or a terminal having a file server process of a network file system can be searched in the same framework.

FIG. 9 shows an outline of an operation executed when an application process on a terminal searches for a connection setting service.

FIG. 11 shows a connection setting process / node setting process / terminal setting process / ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process and an application process on a device constituting an embodiment of the present invention when a connection setting service is searched. 2 shows a logical image of information transmission by a broadcast channel. 7, the logical structure of the broadcast channel is represented in a bus format, as in FIG.

The application process 701 creates a service search message instructing to search for a connection setting service in order to search for a terminal on which the connection setting service is located, and sends it to the broadcast bus 601 (arrow with reference numeral 702). .

The service search message carried on the broadcast bus 601 is passed to a connection setting process, a node setting process, a terminal setting process, and an ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process on the ATM-LAN. (Reference numerals 703, 7041,... 7046, 70
, 70513, 7061).

A service specified by the passed service search message, here, a connection setting service,
, In this case, the connection setting process 10312 creates a service search response message including the node number on which it is located, and sends it to the broadcast channel 601 (arrow with reference numeral 708).

The service search response message sent to broadcast channel 601 is passed to application process 701 that has started the search (reference numeral 7).
Arrow with 09).

With the above procedure, the application process can know the node number of the terminal providing the service to be provided.

Here, if there are two or more terminals that provide a service, the terminal that has searched for the service receives a plurality of service search response messages.
In this case, the service of the terminal that has transmitted the service search response message received for the first time may be used. At this time, the service providing terminal may delay the timing of transmitting the service search response message depending on the load of the terminal. By executing this, the load is automatically distributed for a certain service.

In the ATM-LAN according to the embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the above-described service search, when an application process knows a node name, a search service using a broadcast channel is used. It is also used to provide a service well-known as a naming service, such as knowing a number or knowing a node name from the node number when the node number is known. The service of knowing the node number from the node name (this is called a communication partner search service) is executed by the following procedure.

The application process that wants to know the node number creates a communication partner search message including the node name on the broadcast channel and sends the message to the broadcast channel.

Each terminal that has received the communication partner search message from the broadcast channel compares the node name written in the message with the node name assigned to itself, and if they match, its own node number. And sends it to the broadcast channel.

The communication partner search response message is transferred to the application process that has started the search by the broadcast channel, and the application process is notified of the node number.

On the other hand, a service for knowing a node name from a node number (this is called a node name notification service) is executed according to the following procedure.

An application process that wants to know the node name creates a node name inquiry message including the node number on the broadcast channel and sends it to the broadcast channel.

Each terminal that has received the node name inquiry message from the broadcast channel compares the node number written in the message with its own node number, and if they match, includes their own node name.
Create a node name inquiry response message and send it to the broadcast channel.

The node name inquiry response message is transferred to the application process that has started the search by the broadcast channel, and the application process is notified of the node number.

According to the above procedure, each device constituting the ATM-LAN according to the embodiment of the present invention can know the service providing position, the node number, and the node name using the broadcast channel.

In order to reduce the number of messages transferred on the broadcast channel, all terminals observe the received service search response message / communication partner search response message / node name inquiry response message, and provide the provided service. It may have a function of temporarily storing the node number of the terminal to be provided for each time, temporarily storing the node number for each node name, and temporarily storing the node name for each node number. In order to realize this function, the terminal that provides a service sends out a service search response message and then fails. The node name of the terminal having a certain node number is a communication partner search response message or a node name inquiry response message. Care must be taken because it may change after delivery.

Next, the step 204 of the connection setting executed in the connection setting process and the corresponding step 307 of responding to the node setting request on the node setting process side will be described.

FIG. 10 shows an outline of an operation executed when a terminal requests a connection setting service. Here, of the ATM-LAN shown in FIG.
Of the terminal 1038 of the node number 15 requests connection setting to the terminal 1039 of the node number 15.

The connection setting is performed by the terminal setting process 10381 of the terminal 1038 requesting the connection setting.
Sends a connection setup request message through a broadcast channel to the connection setup process 1032
The process is started by sending to 802 (802). During this connection setting request message, the connection setting source (originating) node number of the terminal 1038 (= 14) (originating
Side identification number) and connection setting destination (destination side) terminal 103
9, a node number (= 15) (destination identification number) is described. Here, the calling terminal 1038 is changed to the called terminal 1039.
Without knowing the node number of, for example, a node name,
If you only have information such as the service you want to receive, you need to pay attention to the fact that you only need to send a connection setting request message after receiving the node number notification by the service search message / communication partner search message described above. It is. The connection setting request message includes a connection setting process 1032.
The node number of the terminal on which No. 1 is placed is also described. In order to transmit the connection setting request message, it is necessary to search for a connection setting service. However, the service search described above may be performed to receive the notification of the node number of the terminal on which the connection setting process has been performed.

Upon receiving the connection setting request message, the connection setting process 10321 extracts the node number of the calling terminal and the node number of the called terminal from the message, and obtains the ATM-L obtained by the configuration recognition.
First, while referring to the database (DB) 801 relating to the configuration of the AN, it is analyzed which route the connection between the originating terminal and the destination terminal can be set.
In the example shown in FIG. 10, the node number (= 1
From 4) and the node number (= 15) of the called terminal, it is understood that a connection can be set between the calling terminal and the called terminal by passing through the node 1023 with the node number = 3.

Next, the connection setting process is to determine whether 1) VPI / VCI is available on each transmission path in the path for setting the connection from the calling terminal to the called terminal.
2) Check whether the bandwidth requested by the connection setting request message remains. In the example shown in FIG.
Calling side terminal 1038 and node 1023 with node number = 14
, The destination terminal 1039 and the node number =
VPI / VCI on the transmission path between 14 nodes 1023
Check if there is a free space, and 2) whether the bandwidth requested by the connection setting request message remains. If these communication resources are available, VP
/ VC link can be set, and these VP
/ VC link is connected by a node on the route, and a VP / VC connection can be set between desired terminals.

If there is no vacancy in the communication resources, a connection setting end message carrying information indicating that connection setting has failed is transferred to the terminal setting process 10381 which is the connection setting request source (not shown).

FIG. 10 shows a case where there is a vacancy in the above-mentioned communication resources and a VP / VC connection can be set. In this case, the connection setting process 10321 first determines the VPI / VCI to be used on each transmission path, updates the contents of the DB 801, and then sends the node setting process 10231 to which the VP / VC link setting and linking are desired to be performed. The setting request message is transferred (803). Upon receiving the node setting request message, the node setting process 10231 sets the VP determined by the connection setting process on the transmission path to the calling terminal 1038 and the transmission path to the destination terminal 1039.
VP / VC link with I / VCI (811, 812,
813 and 814) are set (804 and 80).
6, 807, 809), and connects these VP / VC links (805, 808).

When these processes are completed, the node setting process 10231 sends a node setting end message and notifies the connection setting process 10321 of the end of the work requested from the process (815).

Here, if there are a plurality of nodes on the path between the calling terminal and the called terminal, the connection setting process 10321 sends a node setting request message to each node in order, It is needless to say that the setting and connection of the VP / VC link are requested to the node setting process on the other node. Further, the node setting process of each node, when completing the work requested from the connection setting process 10321, notifies the connection setting process 10321 with a node setting end message in the same manner as described above.

By the way, the setting and connection of the VP / VC link executed by the node setting process specifically means the following operations.

At least, each node has the following functions. That is, the VPI input from each port
With reference to the value of / VCI, the cell is transferred to a port defined for each value of the VPI / VCI, and rewritten to a new VPI / VCI output from the port. The setting of the VP / VC link on the transmission path, which is performed by the node setting process 10231 described above, specifically refers to the VPI / V used on each port among the above-described node functions.
For CI, this is equivalent to securing an entry in a table that specifies processing for a cell having the VPI / VCI. The connection of the VP / VC link, which is executed by the node setting process 10231, means that the entry of the secured table is input from the port designated by the node setting message to the port, carrying the VPI / VCI. The information for transferring the cell and the VPI /
New V at the time of transmission of a cell input with VCI
This is equivalent to writing PI / VCI and control information (referred to as routing information) for transferring a cell from a designated port to a port in the secured table entry.

The node 1023 performs the node setting process 1
In accordance with the information set in 0231, the cell input from each port is transferred to a desired port according to the VPI / VCI of the cell, and the cell is rewritten to the specified VPI / VCI at the time of output from the port. ,
Cell transfer on ATM connection is realized. Reference numeral 81
The components in the nodes with 0 represent functions for realizing the cell transfer on the ATM connection.

When the setting and connection of the VP / VC link are completed at all the nodes on the route between the calling terminal and the called terminal by the above-described exchange, the connection setting process is next performed. Terminal setting process 1 of terminal 1039
0391, the connection setting is notified by creating and sending a connection setting notification message (816). Upon receiving the connection setting notification message, the terminal setting process 10391 of the called terminal 1039 makes settings on the port of the called terminal 1039 to handle the connection, and then gives a process of using the connection the process of using the connection. Report the identifier. After that, a connection setting notification confirmation message is sent to the connection setting process 10321 to notify that the connection has been set (8).
19).

Upon receiving the connection setting notification confirmation message, the connection setting process 10321 creates a connection setting end message and notifies the terminal setting process 10381 of the originating terminal 1038 that the connection setting has been completed (820). . Thus, a series of operations related to connection setting from the calling terminal to the called terminal is completed. Note that an identifier for identifying the connection requested by the message corresponding to the message determined by the connection setting process 10321 is carried in the connection setting end message.
Upon receiving the connection setting end message, the terminal setting process 10381 extracts the identifier of the newly set connection from the message, performs the setting for handling the connection at the port of the calling terminal, and then sets the connection. Pass the identifier to the process that uses.

[0098] According to the above procedure, the ATM-
A VP / VC connection can be set on the LAN. FIG. 11 shows a diagram in which messages exchanged between processes in the operation shown in FIG. 10 are arranged along the time axis. It should be noted that all the messages shown in the figure are transferred on the broadcast channel.

In the above procedure, the connection setting at the originating terminal is not performed by the process of actually using the connection, but by the terminal setting process. Process to connect directly to the connection setting process 10321
It may be implemented by sending a message to This varies depending on the inter-process communication function provided by the terminal OS. Further, the process of using the set connection and the method of connecting the connection, which are executed in the receiving terminal, also vary depending on the inter-process communication function provided by the OS of the terminal. In particular, it is a protocol that requires the destination terminal to use a broadcast channel to start a process that communicates with a connection to be set in advance, and a process that responds to the connection setting notification message. However, as described above, a process using the connection may be used instead of the terminal setting process.

Next, the step 205 of releasing the connection executed in the connection setting process and the corresponding step 308 of responding to the node setting release request on the node setting process side will be described.

FIG. 12 shows an outline of an operation executed when a terminal requests a connection release service. Here, of the ATM-LAN shown in FIG.
The operation when requesting to release the connection set between the terminal 1038 of the node 1038 and the terminal 1039 of the node number 15 is shown. Here, the VP / VC links 811, 81 set by the procedure shown in FIG.
2,813,814 are shown.

The connection release is started when the terminal setting process 10381 of the terminal 1038 requesting the connection release sends a connection release request message to the connection setting process 10321 via the broadcast channel (821). In the connection release request message, the connection identifier of the connection to be released is described.

Upon receiving the connection release request message, the connection setting process 10321 extracts the connection identifier from the message, and
1 to obtain information on the route of the connection requested to be released and the VP / VC link that constitutes the connection. A node release request message is created based on the information on the VP / VC link, and the message is transferred to each node on the route (only the node 1023 in the example shown in FIG. 12) (822).

When receiving the node release request message,
The node setting process 10231 includes VP / VC links 811, 812, and 81 that constitute the connection to be released.
The processing of releasing the setting of 3,814 is performed (823, 82
5,826,828), and disconnects these VP / VC links (824,827).

When these processes are completed, the node setting process 10231 sends a node setting release end message and notifies the connection setting process 10321 of the end of the work requested from the process (82).
9).

Here, when the route of the connection to be released goes through a plurality of nodes, the connection setting process 1
No. 0321 sends a node setting release request message to each node in order and requests the node setting process on each node to set up the VP / VC link and release the connection. No. Further, the node setting process on each node, when completing the work requested from the connection setting process 10321, notifies the connection setting process 10321 with a node setting release end message in the same manner as the above operation. is there.

When the setting of the VP / VC link and the release of the connection are completed at all the nodes on the path of the connection to be released by the above-described exchange, the connection setting process then proceeds with the connection to be released. The opposite terminal 1039 communicating with the request source terminal 1038 that has requested the connection release is notified of the release of the connection by creating and sending a connection release notification message (830). Upon receiving the connection release notification message, the terminal setting process 10391 of the opposite terminal 1039 releases the setting for handling the connection on the port of the opposite terminal 1039, and then releases the connection to the process using the connection. Notify. Thereafter, a connection release notification confirmation message is sent to the connection setting process 10321 to notify that the connection has been released (833).

Upon receiving the connection release notification confirmation message, the connection setting process 10321 creates a connection release end message and notifies the terminal setting process 10381 of the request source terminal 1038 that the connection release has ended (834). . Thus, a series of operations relating to the release of the connection between the requesting terminal and the opposite terminal ends. Note that an identifier for identifying the released connection is carried in the connection release end message. The terminal setting process 10381 includes:
When the connection release end message is received, the identifier of the released connection is taken out of the message,
After the setting for releasing the connection is made in the port of the requesting terminal, the process using the connection is notified that the connection has been released.

According to the above procedure, the VP / VC connection set on the ATM-LAN according to the embodiment of the present invention can be released. FIG. 13 shows a diagram in which messages exchanged between processes in the operation shown in FIG. 12 are arranged along the time axis. It should be noted that all the messages shown in the figure are transferred on the broadcast channel.

Finally, step 3 for responding to the node setting confirmation request executed in the node setting process
09 will be described.

The node setting confirmation request includes the connection setting process recorded in the DB 801, the connection group that the connection setting process recognizes as being currently set, and the VP / This service is provided to compare information related to VC link setting and connection, and to check the contents of the DB 801 by the connection setting process. This service is performed, for example, for each connection setting, or for each predetermined time interval. Each of the node setting process / terminal setting process / ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process returns a response thereto. This is performed according to the following procedure.

The connection setting process creates a node setting confirmation message including information designating the VP / VC link setting / connection to be confirmed, and transfers the message to the process to request confirmation via a broadcast channel.

The process that has received the node setting confirmation message confirms the information on the VP / VC link setting / connection specified by the message, creates a node setting confirmation response message according to the confirmation status, and creates a broadcast channel. Through to the connection setup process.

In the above procedure, the node setting process can confirm the node setting.

Through the exchange of messages as described above, the ATM-LAN according to the present invention becomes the ATM-LA.
A platform for setting / releasing / managing a connection between terminals accommodated by N is provided to the terminals. As described above, in the ATM-LAN according to the present invention, since the application process on the terminal can freely set a connection, the ATM-LAN itself has a relatively low information processing capability.
It has desirable properties for the cost of M-LAN. Furthermore, since the connection can be set according to the convenience of the terminal using the connection, the AT
It has the property that the degree of freedom of the M interface is maximized, which is desirable for an application that wants to perform networking on a terminal.

Next, the AT according to the present embodiment described above is used.
The format of a message for performing communication between the connection setting process / terminal setting process / node setting process / ATM-LAN accommodating device process in the M-LAN will be described in detail.

First, the general format of a message exchanged between the above-described processes via a broadcast channel will be described.

FIG. 14 shows a general format of a message exchanged between the above-mentioned processes via a broadcast channel. As shown in the figure, the messages exchanged between the processes have a closed form in the cells of the ATM layer. Considering that the setting of the function of the ATM layer is mainly performed by the exchange between the processes, it is a desirable form that the setting of the ATM layer function is performed by the message of the ATM layer.

The first five octets of the message are the AT
This is a header of the M cell.

The ATM cell in this embodiment is a so-called UNI cell. As is well known, CC
The I.T.I. According to the H.361, the header of the UNI cell is a field that holds the flow control information of the ATM layer, the first 4 bits of which are called GFC, and the next 8 bits are the VPI
Field, the next 16 bits hold the VCI, the next 3 bits hold the PTI, a field indicating the cell type, etc., the next 1 bit holds the CLP, the discard priority when discarding the cell. A field indicating the degree, the last 8 bits are an error detection / correction code of a header field called HEC.

At the ATM-LAN node according to the present embodiment, the GFC field is transmitted transparently. Flow control by GFC field is CCIT
ATM-LA according to the present embodiment when standardized by T or the like.
The N terminals may handle the GFC field to perform flow control.

In the ATM-LAN according to this embodiment, the AT
A cell transmitted on a broadcast channel for setting the M layer has a predetermined VPI / VCI, and is distinguished from other cells on a normal VP / VC connection.

In the standardization of CCITT or the like, VPI and VCI of a normal connection are used in order from 0. In this embodiment described here, each bit of VPI / VCI is When the value is all 1, the cell belongs to the broadcast channel.

The next PTI field is "000", that is, "user information cell, no congestion, display between upper users = 0" in the CCITT standard.

In the present embodiment, the next CLP field is information indicating whether all terminals are broadcast or adjacent nodes are branched. 0 designates all terminal broadcast designation, and 1 designates adjacent node branch designation. Since this bit is not used for the operation of the ATM-LAN described in detail later, it may be transparent.

In the last HEC field, a value calculated according to the CCITT standard from the above value is entered.

The information section of 48 octets of the ATM cell is:
There are a destination field of 12 octets from the beginning, a source field of 12 octets, a message type field of 1 octet, a message number field of 2 octets, a message content field of 20 octets, and a BIP8 field of 1 octet.

First, the destination field will be described.

In the destination field, information for indicating the destination to which the message is sent is written. The information is
It consists of a 10 octet node number subfield and a 2 octet process number subfield. In the node number subfield, the node number of the node / terminal / ATM-LAN accommodating device serving as the destination of the message, that is, an identifier as a part of the destination address is written.
In the process number subfield, the process number of a process for providing a service within the device designated by the node number subfield, which is the destination of the message, that is, a process means for processing the message.
Process identifier and broadcast
An identifier is entered as part of the destination address of the message .

The node / terminal / ATM-LAN accommodating apparatus which has received the message from the broadcast channel observes the node number subfield of this field, and if the value of this node is equal to the node number held by the node / terminal / ATM-LAN accommodating apparatus, transmits the message. Capture as addressed to yourself. Then refer to the process number subfield,
The process to which the message is addressed is determined, and the message is passed to the process. In addition, A according to the present embodiment
Node / terminal / ATM- in each device of TM-LAN
The process numbers of the LAN setting process and the connection setting process have predetermined values, for example, node / terminal /
It is desirable that the ATM-LAN setting process has a value of "1" and the connection setting process has a value of "2".

The node number subfield has the following two reserved values.

The first is a value in which all bits are 0. This is to specify a branch in the adjacent node, in other words
Used as “adjacent node branch address” . When the step of securing the adjacent node number is executed, a reserved value indicating “to the adjacent node” is necessary because the node number of the adjacent node is not known.

The second is a value in which all bits are 1. This is to specify the entire terminal broadcast, or "blow
Broadcast address . In the broadcast channel, all messages are forwarded to all terminals, and this reserved value is used to specify that all the destination terminals capture the message.

Further, in the process number subfield, the identifier of the process and the broadcast
With an identifier as part of the destination address of the message above
The following two values are reserved for a certain process number . The first value is a value in which all bits are ones. This means that it is necessary to pass the message to all processes (including a node / terminal / ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process and a connection setting process) intended to receive a message from a broadcast channel in a certain terminal. Represents. That is, the first value
Is broadcast to all processes in the node and terminal
Reserved for transmitting messages on the cast channel
Have been. Thereby, a service search can be performed.

The second value is a value in which all bits are 0. In this embodiment, this value is assigned a meaning that the process does not exist. Therefore,
The appearance of this value as the destination process number is prohibited.

Next, the source field will be described.

In the sender field, the node number of the node / terminal / ATM-LAN accommodating device that issued the message and the process number of the process that issued the message in the device having the node number are written. I have. Using this field, node / terminal / ATM
-The LAN accommodating device performs the following operations: (1) when receiving the message, knows the partner who created the message; and (2) determines whether or not the message has been issued by itself. Here, the latter operation is performed for the following reason. On a broadcast channel on which the all-terminal broadcast function is realized, a message activated by itself is also sent back. This is to prevent the user from responding to a message that has been issued. The source field also includes a 10-octet node number subfield and a 2-octet process number subfield, like the destination field. Further, similarly to the destination field, for each of the node number and the process number, a value whose bits are all 0 and a value whose bits are all 1 are reserved. This is because the node number and the process number have a special meaning, and such a node number and a process number are not assigned to each process of each device.

Next, the message type field will be described.

The message type field contains the type of the message, that is, whether the message is an adjacent node number request message or an adjacent node number request response message.
... is described.

Although the specific values will be described later, the first bit of the message type field is set to 0.
It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the message is a bit which indicates that the message requires some processing, and 1 indicates that the requested processing has been completed.

Next, the message number field will be described.

The message number field is the lower 16 bits of the sequence number used to detect a message omission in communication between the requester and the request destination at the requester who has requested some processing due to cell omission due to cell discard or the like. Bits are filled.

The node / terminal / ATM-LAN accommodating apparatus counts the number of messages sent to the broadcast channel in which the first bit of the message type field is 0, and uses this as a sequence number. When sending a message to a broadcast channel, if the first bit of the message type field is 0, the sequence number is notified to the process that created the message and the lower 16 bits of the message are sent.
Write the bits in the message number field.

After receiving the message and performing the operation specified in the message, the process requested to perform processing creates a response message indicating the end of the operation, the first bit of the message type being 1, and creating a broadcast channel. At this time, the message number in the message that triggered the creation of the response message is described in the message number field.

The process which has requested the operation refers to the message number in the response message and recognizes which message the response message is a response to. As a result, the state of the request destination process in the request source process can be predicted, and operations such as issuing a request again and issuing another request as necessary can be performed.

Next, the message content field will be described.

In the message content field, parameters of an operation required by the message type required for each message type are described. The actual parameters will be described later in detail.

Lastly, the BIP8 field will be described.

In the BIP8 field, an error detection code for detecting an error in the information section of the message (= ATM cell) is written. In this embodiment, an error detection code called BIP8, which is relatively easy to calculate, is employed. Since the message flows on a broadcast channel defined only on an ATM-LAN having a relatively narrow service range, there is little need for error correction.

The detailed format of each message will be described below. Here, A
Since the value described in the header part of the TM cell and the value described in the BIP field are as described above, only the details of the destination field, the sender field, the message type field, the message number field, and the message content field are shown. It is.

Table 1 shows the detailed format of the adjacent node number request message, and Table 2 shows the detailed format of the adjacent node number request response message. These messages are used for each node to know the node number of the adjacent device before the configuration recognition as described above.

[0152]

[Table 1]

[0153]

[Table 2] First, a detailed format of the adjacent node number request message will be described.

In the node number subfield of the destination field of the adjacent node number request message, all bits are set to 0 to designate an adjacent node branch. Each node /
The terminal / ATM-LAN accommodating device branches out all the bits in the node number subfield of the destination field that are 0. The process number subfield is set to 1, and a node / terminal / ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process is designated. Each node / terminal / ATM-LAN accommodating device performs an operation of giving the message to the process having the process number of the value specified in the process number subfield.

In the sender field, the node number of the node (in this embodiment, the terminal or the ATM-LAN accommodating device does not issue this message) in which the process that issued the message is present, and the message that issued the message is issued. And the process number of the specified process. By combining the node number and the process number, all the processes existing on the ATM-LAN according to the present embodiment can be uniquely identified. In this sense, a set of the node number and the process number is an identifier of the process.

In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is an adjacent node number request message, in this embodiment, “0000 0000” is described.

In the message number field, as described above, the sequence number which is the lower two octets of the message serial number at the issuing source node is described for the purpose of detecting message omission.

[0158] In the message content field, the port number for transmitting the message at the node that has issued the message is described. This is because by describing this information in a message that is a response to the message, the node number of the adjacent node can be distinguished for each port.

Next, a detailed format of the adjacent node number request response message, which is a response message to the adjacent node number request message, will be described.

The destination field of the adjacent node number request response message is the same as the adjacent node number request message.
An adjacent node branch is designated by setting all bits of the node number subfield to 0, and a node setting process is designated in the process number subfield. Since the node number and process number of the process to which a response should be returned have already been notified in the sender field of the adjacent node number request message, this process identifier may be written in the destination field. However, when a process identifier is specified in the destination field according to the method of realizing the broadcast channel in the ATM-LAN of the present embodiment, which will be described later, the message is transferred to the entire ATM-LAN, and the traffic volume of the entire ATM-LAN is reduced. Here, the message is designed so that all messages that should be branched at the adjacent node are transmitted as the adjacent node branch designation.

The sender field contains the node number of the node (or terminal or ATM-LAN accommodating device) in which the process that issued the message is present, and the process number of the process that issued the message, that is, The identifier of the process that issued the message is described. The process receiving this message can know the node number of the adjacent node by referring to this field.

In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is an adjacent node number request response message, in this embodiment, "1000 0000" is described.

As described above, the contents of the message number field of the corresponding message are described in the message number field for the purpose of detecting a missing message.

In the message content field, the port number described in the message content field in the corresponding adjacent node number request message is described. As a result, the node that has issued the adjacent node number request message corresponding to the message can obtain information indicating that the device of the node number Y is connected to the port X of the own node. Furthermore, since the destination field specifies adjacent node branching, just in case,
The node number of the node that has issued the message corresponding to the message is also described.

Table 3 shows the detailed format of the configuration copying request message, and Table 4 shows the detailed format of the configuration copying request response message. These messages are used for configuration recognition in the connection setting process as described above.

[0166]

[Table 3]

[0167]

[Table 4] First, the detailed format of the configuration download request message will be described.

In the destination field of the configuration siphoning request message, in the node number subfield, all bits are set to 1 and all terminal broadcasts are designated. Each node / terminal / ATM-LAN accommodating device fetches all data in which the bit of the node number subfield is all "1". In the process number subfield, 1 which is the number of a node setting process (or a terminal setting process or an ATM-LAN setting process) on which a response to the message is to be returned is described.

In the sender field, the device in which the process that issued the message exists (in this embodiment,
This message is triggered by the connection setup process,
Since the connection setting process exists on the terminal,
(Specifically, a terminal) and the process number of the process that issued the message, that is, the identifier of the process that issued the message.

In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a configuration siphoning request message,
In this embodiment, “0000 0001” is described.

In the message number field, as described above, the sequence number which is the lower 2 octets of the message serial number at the issuing source node is described for the purpose of detecting missing messages.

No significant information is described in the message content field of this message. Although any value may be entered and transmitted, for example, all bits are transmitted as 0.

When a configuration request is made for a part of the ATM-LAN for the purpose of reducing the amount of traffic in the ATM-LAN, the node (or the node for which the configuration information is to be downloaded in the node number subfield of the destination field). , Terminal, or ATM-LAN accommodating device). In this case, this message is transferred only to the device having the node number specified in the destination field. This type of message is sent to the connection setup process by the ATM-LA.
This is used, for example, when a connection setting request is issued to a device having a node number that does not recognize the existence in N. Further, in the case of this type of message, the number of the port to be downloaded may be specified in the message content field. When a port number can be specified, it is convenient to be able to distinguish whether the port number is specified or all ports are specified. For this reason, all the bits of the port number may be 1, so that all ports may be designated.

Next, a detailed format of a configuration siphoning request response message, which is a response message to the configuration siphoning request message, will be described.

The destination field of the configuration copy request message describes the contents of the source field of the corresponding configuration copy request message. This makes it possible to transfer this message to the processing request source.

In the sender field, the node number of the node (or terminal or ATM-LAN accommodating device) in which the process that issued the message is present, and the process number of the process that issued the message, that is, The identifier of the process that issued the message is described. The process that receives this message can know the node number of the message issuing source by referring to this field.

In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a configuration siphoning request response message is described. In this embodiment, “1000 0001” is described.

As described above, the content of the message number field of the corresponding message is described in the message number field for the purpose of detecting missing messages.

The message content field includes the port number of the device indicating the configuration of this message, the type information of the port, and the node number of the adjacent device connected by the port.

A configuration siphoning request response message, which is a response to the configuration siphoning request message, is transmitted one by one for each port accommodated by the designated device. Therefore, the port number of the port indicating the configuration of the message is described in the message content field.

The type information may specifically be as follows.

FIG. 15 shows a desirable form of the type information in the ATM-LAN according to the present embodiment.

Of the 8 octets of type information, 4 octets are used by the vendor (device manufacturer). 2 of them
The octet is used as a vendor identifier for identifying the vendor, and the remaining two octets are used as a model number identifier indicating the model number of the port in the vendor.

The model of the port can be known from the vendor identifier and the model number identifier. By using the vendor identifier and the model number identifier as keys, the connection setting process has a database capable of searching for information (for example, whether or not copy connection can be set) outside the range displayed by the information described below, thereby performing more fine-grained control. Becomes possible.

In the remaining 4 octets, basic information for managing the connection of the ATM layer is displayed.

The first four bits indicate the type (node, terminal, or AT) of the device constituting the ATM-LAN.
M-LAN accommodating device) is displayed.

The next 4 bits indicate the type of connection monitoring at the interface point of the port. At the interface point, the transmission direction of the cell stream from the device side to the outside, the transmission transmission point, and at the interface point, the reception input point of the direction of inputting the cell flow from the outside to the device side, policing, Shaping may take place. This field indicates these as independent bits.

The next one bit is the Techinca of Bellcore, USA
l Advisory, TA-NWT-001110, "Broadband ISDN Switching
System Generic Requirements ", Issue 1, August 1992
Are bits indicating whether simultaneous switching of VP and VC is possible. ATM-L of this embodiment
In the AN, the connection is basically provided as a VC. Therefore, this bit indicates whether or not VP processing, that is, VP exchange can be executed in the ATM-LAN according to the present embodiment.

The next three bits indicate the number of VPI bits related to actual processing out of the eight bits of VPI, and the next 4 bits
The bit indicates the number of bits of the VCI related to the actual processing among the 16 bits of the VCI. VPI / V of input cell
The CI is subjected to some processing to identify the connection to which the cell belongs, and these bits indicate the effective range of the processing.

The last two octets are the speed of the physical layer of the port , in other words, one of the attributes of the terminal.
At the physical layer rate) , the capacity to transmit ATM cells is
This is a field indicated by a multiple of 64 Kbps.

As described above, due to the configuration recognition operation, the connection setting process determines that the device with the node number A exists in the ATM-LAN, the type is B, and the node number of the device adjacent to the port C is D, the speed of the port is D, and so on. In the connection setting process, a database is created based on these pieces of information, and whether or not a connection can be set is determined with reference to the database.

Table 5 shows the detailed format of the service search message, and Table 6 shows the detailed format of the service search response message. These messages are sent to various network services (including connection settings) provided on the ATM-LAN as described above.
Used to search for service providers.

[0193]

[Table 5]

[0194]

[Table 6] First, the detailed format of the service search message will be described.

In the destination field of the service search message, all bits are set to 1 and all terminal broadcasts are specified together with the node number subfield and the process number subfield. Each node / terminal / ATM-LAN accommodating device fetches this message and passes the message to all processes that exchange messages with the broadcast channel.

In the sender field, the device in which the process that issued the message is present (in this embodiment,
This message is assumed to be mainly executed by the terminal) and the process number of the process that issued the message, that is, the identifier of the process that issued the message is described.

In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a service search message, in this embodiment, “0000 0010” is described.

In the message number field, as described above, the sequence number which is the lower two octets of the message serial number at the issuing source node is described for the purpose of detecting missing messages.

In the message content field of this message, the identifier of the service to be searched (20 octets)
Is described. The process receiving this message compares the service identification number of the service provided by itself with the service identification number in the message, and if they match, creates and sends a service search response message described later.

Here, the service identification number is, for example, vendor information in which the first 8 octets indicate the providing vendor, the next 4 octets are the program identifier in the vendor, the next 4 octets are the version, and the remaining 4 octets are specified for each service. Identifier may be used. Furthermore, by setting all the bits of each of these subfields to 1, the information of the subfield may be excluded from the search target. When this mechanism is introduced,
For example, the search for the service providing destination with the service identifier D provided by the vendor A as the program name B and the version C may be performed, or only the product having the service identifier D ignoring the vendor, the program name and the version may be searched. It is also possible.

Next, a detailed format of the service search response message, which is a response message of the service search message, will be described.

The destination field of the service search response message describes the contents of the source field of the corresponding service search message. This makes it possible to transfer this message to the processing request source.

[0203] In the sender field, the node number of the node (or terminal or ATM-LAN accommodating device) where the process that issued the message is present, and the process number of the process that issued the message, that is, The identifier of the process that issued the message is described. The process that receives this message can know the node number and process number of the message issuing source by referring to this field.

[0204] In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a service search response message, "1000 0010" is described in this embodiment.

In the message number field, as described above, the contents of the message number field of the corresponding message are described for the purpose of detecting missing messages.

In the message content field, a service identification number of the process that created the message is described.

By using these messages, the process of the process number B on the device of the node number A can be executed by the ATM.
-It is possible to provide a framework in which all processes on the ATM-LAN can know that the service of the service identification number C is provided on the LAN.

Table 7 shows the detailed format of the connection setting request message, and Table 8 shows the detailed format of the connection setting end message. These messages are used by the process on the ATM-LAN to make a connection setting request to the connection setting process as described above.

[0209]

[Table 7]

[0210]

[Table 8] First, a detailed format of the connection setting request message will be described.

[0211] The destination field of the connection setting request message is an identifier (node number, process number) of the process to which connection setting is requested (ie, the connection setting process). It should be noted that if the process requesting the connection setting does not know the position of the connection setting process, it can be found by performing the service search described above.

In the sender field, the device in which the process that issued the message exists (in this embodiment,
This message is assumed to be mainly executed by the terminal) and the process number of the process that issued the message, that is, the identifier of the process that issued the message is described. Hereinafter, for the sake of explanation,
The process that issued this message is called the originating process.

[0213] In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a connection setting request message, "0000 0011" in this embodiment is described.

In the message number field, as described above, the sequence number which is the lower two octets of the message serial number at the issuing source node is described for the purpose of detecting message omission.

[0215] In the message content field of this message, information for designating a partner with which the calling process wants to communicate is described.

In the first subfield, a node number and a process number for designating a communication partner with whom communication is to be performed and describing this as a destination for the following description are described.

[0217] There are two methods of specifying a communication partner, that is, specifying a process or specifying only a device. When a process is specified, a set of a node number and a process number is used as a process identifier. On the other hand, when specifying a device, in the set of the node number and the process number,
The node number is the node number of the device you want to communicate with.
In the process number, all bits are set to 0. When a device is specified, the process on the receiving side that handles the connection to be set up may not be started when the connection setting request message is issued. This is expressed by all bits of the process number being 0.

In the next subfield, information indicating the type of connection to be set is described. The connection type is defined as parameters such as identification of VP / VC and whether to guarantee a required bandwidth.
In the next subfield, a connection ID is described.

On the terminal of the ATM-LAN according to the present embodiment, the connection is made up of the node number, connection I
It is assumed that it is uniquely identified by the set D. For this reason, the V of the connection is set as the connection ID.
It is convenient to use PI / VCI. In this embodiment, the VPI / VCI is assigned by the connection setting process. Therefore, generally, when transmitting a connection setting request message, the calling process does not know the VPI / VCI serving as the connection ID. In this case, this connection ID is transmitted as all bits 0.

In some cases, the calling process knows VPI / VCI, which is the connection ID. That is, this is a case where a branch for copying is added to the already set connection up to the destination device or process. In this case, in this field, the VP which is the identifier of the already set connection to which the branch for copying is added is added.
Describes I / VCI. Note that the terminating side in the copy connection means a terminal that is a source of information on which distribution service is being performed by the copy connection. The destination node number is specified in the message content field, and it is possible to identify a copy connection in the ATM-LAN by pairing with the connection ID.

Here, the combination of the node number and the connection ID is considered as the information for identifying the connection. The reason for considering the node constituting the ATM-LAN of this embodiment is to limit the functions for the purpose of cost reduction. This means that it is assumed that connection setting is not requested.
All communication requested by the nodes is performed via a broadcast channel. It should be noted that a plurality of terminal devices are ATM-
In the case of having a connection port with a LAN, this is handled by assigning a node number to each connection port. It is conceivable that a node requests connection setting. In this case, a port number is required in addition to the node number and the connection ID, and the information required for identifying the connection increases.

In the next subfield, the bandwidth required by the connection is described. This is 4 octets, but for example, the average band and peak band
A numerical value represented by a multiple of bps may be entered.

Next, the detailed format of the connection setting end message, which is a response message to the connection setting request message, will be described.

[0224] The destination field of the connection setting end message describes the contents of the source field of the corresponding connection setting request message. This makes it possible to transfer this message to the process requesting the process.

[0225] In the sender field, the node number of the terminal in which the process that issued the message is present,
The process number of the process that issued the message, that is, the identifier of the process that issued the message, specifically, the identifier of the connection setting process is described.

In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a connection setting end message, in this embodiment, “1000 0011” is described.

As described above, the contents of the message number field of the corresponding message are described in the message number field for the purpose of detecting missing messages.

The following information is described in the message content field.

In the first subfield, an identifier of a process of a communication partner (= destination side) by a connection for which setting has been completed, that is, a node number and a process number are described.

Here, if the value described in the corresponding connection setting request message is written in the node number, it indicates that the connection setting was successful, and if all the bits of the node number are 0, For example, it indicates that the connection setting is rejected by the receiving side being in a state where it cannot receive the connection, for example, the startup of the receiving side process has failed, that is, not ready.

As will be described later, when the connection setting is notified to the receiving side, the receiving side terminal activates a process for handling the connection (or determines a process for handling the connection from the activated processes). ), An operation of preparing a connection that handles the connection is performed. As a result, if the connection is normally set, the process number of the existing process is set in this process number.

In the second subfield of the message content field, if the connection has been set up normally,
The connection type described in the corresponding connection setting request message is described. If the connection setting is rejected because the connection type does not match, for example, a request for VP exchange in an ATM-LAN that does not support VP exchange is made, the value of this subfield is all bits 0. .

In the next subfield, the connection I
DPI / VCI is described. When a new connection is set and the connection is set normally, the VPI / VCI assigned by the connection setting process is described. When a branch of a copy connection is added, the connection ID in the corresponding connection setting request message is described. When the connection setting is rejected because the VPI / VCI allocation has failed on the communication path, all the bits in this subfield are set to 0.

In the next subfield, when a connection is normally set, a connection request bandwidth in a corresponding connection setting request message is described. When the connection setting is rejected on the path for setting the connection due to insufficient capacity, all the bits of this subfield are set to 0.

When the originating side cannot respond to the VPI / VCI allocated as a result of setting a new connection for some reason, after receiving this message,
A process for releasing the connection may be performed.

Table 9 shows the detailed format of the connection setting notification message, and Table 10 shows the detailed format of the connection setting notification confirmation message.
These messages are used to notify the called device or process that the connection setting process has set the connection according to the request of the calling process as described above.

[0237]

[Table 9]

[0238]

[Table 10] First, a detailed format of the connection setting notification message will be described.

The destination field of the connection setting notification message is an identifier (node number, process number) of a process (destination process) for notifying that a connection has been set. Note that the terminating side in the copy connection means a terminal that is a source of information on which distribution service is being performed by the copy connection.

If the originating process specifies only the destination node number of the connection for which the setting was requested, but does not specify the process number, all bits of the process number are 0.

The sender field describes the identifier of the process that issued the message, that is, the identifier of the connection setting process.

In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a connection setting notification message, in this embodiment, "0000 0100" is described.

In the message number field, as described above, the sequence number which is the lower two octets of the message serial number at the issuing source node is described for the purpose of detecting message omission.

The following information is described in the message content field of this message.

In the first subfield, the identifier of the calling process with which the called process communicates is described.

[0246] In the next subfield, the connection type of the set connection is described.

In the next subfield, a connection ID for identifying the connection for which the setting has been notified on the receiving side, that is, the VPI / VCI of the connection is described.

[0248] In the next subfield, the band used by the connection whose setting has been notified is described.
The device to which the connection setting has been notified may perform shaping using this parameter as necessary.

Next, a detailed format of the connection setting notification confirmation message, which is a response message of the connection setting notification message, will be described.

The destination field of the connection setting notification confirmation message describes the contents of the sender field of the corresponding connection setting notification message. With this,
This message can be transferred to the process requesting the process, that is, the connection setting process.

[0251] The sender field describes the identifier of the process that issued the message. The process identifier includes a node number and a process number. The node number describes the node number of the node that issued the message. The process number has a different value depending on the content of the connection notification message.

In order to explain the process number written in this message, the operation of the terminal that has received the connection setting notification message will be described.

The terminal receiving the connection setting notification message performs the following operation.

First, a case where a process for handling the connection is specified in the connection setting notification message will be described. In this case, the setting of the connection is notified to the designated process, and the process of connecting the connection to the process is performed. In this case, the sender field describes the process number of the process specified in the connection setting notification message.

On the other hand, if the process for handling the connection is not specified in the connection setting notification message, first, communication with the calling process is performed as a function of connecting the connection, and the request of the calling process is Activate a general-purpose process that can be changed to a process with the corresponding function, and connect the connection. In this case, what is described in the sender field is the process number of this general-purpose process. The general-purpose process communicates with the calling process, knows the function requested by the calling process, and changes to a process having the function.
This general-purpose process is, for example, an OS called UNIX.
Needless to say, it can be realized by the same method as that of realizing a command called rsh having a function of executing a specified command on a remote host.

When all the bits of this field are returned as 0, the destination terminal cannot find the specified process, or the general-purpose process cannot be started due to insufficient memory, that is, the connection setting. Indicates that the connection setup was rejected in a state in which connection is not allowed or not ready.

[0257] In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a connection setting notification confirmation message, "1000 0100" in this embodiment, is described.

As described above, the contents of the message number field of the corresponding message are described in the message number field for the purpose of detecting a message omission as described above.

In the message content field, when the connection setting is approved on the receiving side, the same content as the message content field of the corresponding connection setting notification message is described. If the connection setting is not permitted, the contents are rewritten as shown in Table 10 and the reason for the setting rejection is displayed.

In the connection type subfield, all bits are set to 0 when connection setting is rejected because the terminal cannot handle the set connection type. In the connection ID subfield, when the connection setting is rejected because the set connection identifier cannot be handled by the port of the terminal, all bits are set to 0.

In the connection setting band, all bits are set to 0 when connection setting is rejected because the terminal cannot handle the set connection band.

Table 11 shows the detailed format of the node setting request message, and Table 12 shows the detailed format of the node setting end message. These messages are used by the connection setup process to request the necessary nodes to establish and connect the VP / VC link according to the request of the originating process as described above.

[0263]

[Table 11]

[0264]

[Table 12] First, a detailed format of the node setting request message will be described.

In the destination field of the node setting request message, the node number of the node requesting the setting and connection of the VP / VC link and the process number (= 1) of the node setting process of the node are described.

[0266] The sender field describes the identifier of the process that issued the message, that is, the identifier of the connection setting process.

[0267] In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a node setting request message, "0000 0101" in this embodiment, is described.

In the message number field, as described above, the sequence number which is the lower two octets of the message serial number at the issuing source node is described in order to detect a message omission.

In the message content field of this message, the following information is described.

In the first subfield, the port number (input port number) of the port (input port) of the VP / VC link whose setting is to be requested and which is set closer to the calling process is set. Is described.

In the next subfield, the identifier of the VP / VC link set on the input port, that is, VPI / VC
The value of I is described. This is called an input VPI / VCI value.

In the next subfield, the port number (outgoing port number) of the port (outgoing port) of the VP / VC link to be requested to be set, which is set closer to the process on the receiving side, is described. You.

The next subfield contains the identifier of the VP / VC link set on the outgoing port, ie, VPI / VC
The value of I is described. This is called the outgoing VPI / VCI value.

Here, according to the standardization in CCITT,
When setting a VP / VC connection, a certain VP /
If the VC connection is set, be sure to use the same VPI /
It should be noted that it is required to set a VP / VC connection that is the exact opposite of the connection and cell flow direction with the VCI value. The node setting request message always includes a VP /
It is designed with the intention of reducing the number of messages on the broadcast channel by utilizing the fact that VC connections are paired.

That is, if one VP / VC connection is set, the VP / VC connection in the opposite direction is always set. If the VP / VC link which is a component of the VP / VC connection is set, the VP / VC link can be set as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, two VP / VC links having opposite cell flow directions, and a VP / VC link pair can be handled. VP /
The identifier given to the VC link pair must be the same VPI /
This VPI / VCI can be used if an uplink / downlink VP / VC link is set by the VCI.

The input VPI / VCI value described above is used as the VPI / VCI value carried by the cell input to the input port interface point, and is output toward the input port interface point. It is also used as the VPI / VCI value carried by the cell. Similarly, out V
The PI / VCI value is used as the VPI / VCI value carried by the cell input to the output port interface point, and the VPI / VCI value carried by the cell output toward the output port interface point. Also used as VCI value.

By setting all bits of the VCI of the input VPI / VCI to 0, the VP link pair is set on the input port, and by setting all the bits of the VCI of the output VPI / VCI to 0, the output port is set. The setting of a VP link pair is shown above.

In the last subfield of the message content field of the node setting request message, the band of the VP / VC link to be set is set. If necessary, use this value for policing. If no policing operation is required, all bits in this subfield are set to 0.

Here, the reason for limiting to the polishing operation is as follows.
Although each port of the ATM-LAN is supposed to accommodate a terminal, it is assumed that only the receiving input point has a policing function. For example, when an interface point with a public network is accommodated, shaping may be performed at a transmission output point and policing may be performed at a reception input point. In this case, a shaping parameter is required in addition to the policing parameter. Further, there may be a case where the capacity of the up VC and the capacity of the down VC are different. In this case, it is necessary to be able to specify each capacity independently.

Note that this message is designed to set a VP / VC link pair for the purpose of reducing the number of messages. For example, it is desired that the capacity of the uplink / downlink VP / VC link be different. Therefore, it is possible to set each VP / VC link. In this case, the definition of the input port / output port is changed to one VP / V
A port to which a cell belonging to the C connection is input may be changed to an input port, and a cell to be output may be changed to an output port. As is clear, the node setting request message for setting the VP / VC link pair and the node setting request message for setting the VP / VC link are distinguished by the message type, and the ATM-LAN according to the present embodiment is used. Depending on the nature of the connection to be set, a VP / VC link pair,
A VP / VC link can be selected and settable.

Next, the detailed format of the node setting end message, which is a response message to the node setting request message, will be described.

The destination field of the node setting end message describes the source field of the corresponding node setting request message, that is, the identifier of the connection setting process. This makes it possible to transfer this message to the process requesting the process, that is, the connection setting process.

[0283] The sender field describes the identifier of the process that issued the message, that is, the node setting process for which node setting was requested by the message corresponding to the message.

[0284] In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a node setting end message, in this embodiment, "1000 0101" is described.

In the message number field, as described above, the contents of the message number field of the corresponding message are described for the purpose of detecting a message omission.

When the node setting is recognized, the same contents as those in the message content field of the corresponding node setting message are described in the message content field. If the connection setting is not permitted, the contents are rewritten as shown in Table 12, and the reason for the setting rejection is displayed.

In the incoming VPI / VCI value subfield, if the specified VPI / VCI is rejected because the port of the node cannot handle the specified VPI / VCI, all bits are set to 0.

Similarly, in the output VPI / VCI value subfield, if the setting is rejected because the designated VPI / VCI cannot be handled, all bits are set to 0.

In the connection setting bandwidth subfield, the value of the designated bandwidth indicates that monitoring by policing is impossible (including that there is no function and that policing is not required), and all bits are set to 0. To display. In this case, the above-mentioned input port number, input VPI / VC
The setting based on the I value, the outgoing port number, and the outgoing VPI / VCI value is executed (unless these values have a problem).

Table 13 shows the detailed format of the connection release request message, and Table 14 shows the detailed format of the connection release end message. These messages are used by the process on the ATM-LAN to request the connection setting process to release the connection as described above.

[0291]

[Table 13]

[0292]

[Table 14] First, a detailed format of the connection release request message will be described.

[0293] The destination field of the connection release request message is an identifier (node number, process number) of the process to which the connection release is requested (that is, the connection setting process). If the process requesting connection release does not know this, it can be known by the service search described above.

In the sender field, the device in which the process that issued the message is present (in this embodiment,
This message is assumed to be mainly executed by the terminal) and the process number of the process that issued the message, that is, the identifier of the process that issued the message is described. Hereinafter, for the sake of explanation,
The terminal that has issued this message is called the requesting terminal, and the process is called the requesting process.

[0295] In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a connection release request message, "0000 0110" in this embodiment is described.

In the message number field, as described above, the sequence number which is the lower two octets of the message serial number at the issuing source node is described in order to detect a message omission.

[0297] In the message content field of this message, information for designating a partner with which the requesting process is communicating is described.

In the first subfield, a node number and a process number for designating a communicating party, which will be described as an opposite side for the following description, are described.

In the next subfield, the connection ID (VPI / VCI) of the connection to be released is described.

[0300] The opposite side of the copy connection means a terminal that is a source of information that is being distributed by the copy connection. The release of the copy connection is executed only for the branch from the terminal that is the information generation source to the request source terminal.

Next, the detailed format of the connection release end message, which is a response message to the connection release request message, will be described.

[0302] The destination field of the connection release end message describes the contents of the source field of the corresponding connection release request message. This makes it possible to transfer this message to the process requesting the process.

[0303] The sender field describes the identifier of the process that issued the message, that is, the node number and the process number, more specifically, the identifier of the connection setting process.

[0304] In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a connection release end message, that is, "1000 0110" in this embodiment, is described.

As described above, the contents of the message number field of the corresponding message are described in the message number field for the purpose of detecting missing messages.

The following information is described in the message content field. That is, the first subfield of the message content field describes the identifier of the process of the communication partner (= opposite side) by the released connection, that is, the node number and the process number. In the second subfield of the message content field, if the connection is normally released, the connection ID described in the corresponding connection setting request message
(VPI / VCI) is described. When the specified connection is not set, or when the release of the connection ends abnormally due to a node on the communication path not responding or the like, the value of this subfield is all bits 0.

Table 15 shows the detailed format of the connection release notification message, and Table 16 shows the detailed format of the connection release notification confirmation message. These messages are used to notify the opposite device or process that the connection setting process has released the connection in accordance with the request from the requesting process, as described above.

[0308]

[Table 15]

[0309]

[Table 16] First, the detailed format of the connection release notification message will be described.

[0310] The destination field of the connection setting notification message is the identifier (node number, process number) of the process (opposite process) that notifies that the connection has been released.

[0311] The sender field describes the identifier of the process that issued the message, that is, the identifier of the connection setting process.

[0312] In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a connection release notification message, "0000 0111" in this embodiment is described.

[0313] In the message number field, as described above, the sequence number which is the lower two octets of the message serial number at the issuing source node is described for the purpose of detecting message omission.

In the message content field of this message, the following information is described.

In the first subfield, the identifier of the requesting process (that is, the node number and the process number) is described.

[0316] In the next subfield, a connection ID for identifying the connection notified of release on the opposite side, that is, the VPI / VCI of the connection,
Is described.

Next, the detailed format of the connection release notification confirmation message, which is a response message of the connection release notification message, will be described.

[0318] The destination field of the connection release notification confirmation message describes the contents (identifier of the connection setting process) of the source field of the corresponding connection release notification message. This makes it possible to transfer this message to the process requesting the process, that is, the connection setting process.

[0319] In the sender field, the identifier of the process that issued the message, that is, the opposite process, is described.

[0320] In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a connection release notification confirmation message, "1000 0111" in this embodiment is described.

As described above, the contents of the message number field of the corresponding message are described in the message number field for the purpose of detecting a message omission.

The message content field describes the same content as the message content field of the corresponding connection release notification message.

Table 17 shows the detailed format of the node setting release request message, and Table 18 shows the detailed format of the node setting release end message. These messages are used by the connection setting process to request the necessary nodes to set up / release the VP / VC link according to the request of the requesting process, as described above.

[0324]

[Table 17]

[0325]

[Table 18] First, a detailed format of the node setting release request message will be described.

The destination field of the node setting release request message describes the node number of the node requesting that the VP / VC link be set / released, and the process number (= 1) of the node setting process of the node. Is done.

[0327] The sender field describes the identifier of the process that issued the message, that is, the identifier of the connection setting process.

[0328] In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a node setting release request message, "0000 1000" in this embodiment is described.

In the message number field, as described above, the sequence number which is the lower 2 octets of the message serial number at the issuing source node is described for the purpose of detecting message omission.

[0330] The following information is described in the message content field of this message. The first subfield contains the VP /
The port number (input port number) of the port (input port) of the VC link pair that is set closer to the process of the request source is described.

[0331] In the next subfield, the identifier of the VP / VC link pair that is set on the incoming port and requires release, that is, the value of VPI / VCI is described. This is called an input VPI / VCI value.

In the next subfield, the port number (outgoing port number) of the port (outgoing port number) of the VP / VC link pair for which release of the setting is to be requested is set closer to the process on the receiving side. ) Is described.

In the next subfield, the identifier of the VP / VC link pair that is set on the outgoing port and requires release, that is, the value of VPI / VCI is described. This is called the outgoing VPI / VCI value.

Next, the detailed format of the node setting release end message, which is a response message to the node setting release request message, will be described.

The destination field of the node setting release end message describes the source field of the corresponding node setting release request message, that is, the identifier of the connection setting process. With this, the process requesting the process,
That is, this message can be transferred to the connection setting process.

In the sender field, the identifier of the process that issued the message, that is, the node setting process requested to release the node setting in the message corresponding to the message is described.

[0337] In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a node setting release end message, "1000 1000" in this embodiment is described.

As described above, the contents of the message number field of the corresponding message are described in the message number field for the purpose of detecting missing messages.

[0339] In the message content field, when the release of the node setting ends normally, the same content as the message content field of the corresponding node setting message is described. If release of the node setting ends abnormally, Table 18
The reason for rejecting the setting is displayed by rewriting the contents as shown in FIG.

In the incoming VPI / VCI value subfield, all bits are set to 0 in the case of abnormal termination due to no VP / VC link pair having the specified VPI / VCI as an identifier.

Similarly, the outgoing VPI / VCI value subfield contains a VP / V with the designated VPI / VCI as an identifier.
In the case of abnormal termination due to no C link pair being set, all bits are set to 0.

Table 19 shows the detailed format of the node setting confirmation message, and Table 20 shows the detailed format of the node setting confirmation response message. These messages are used when it is necessary to compare the connection setting status recognized by the connection setting process with the connection setting status held by each node setup process as described above.

[0343]

[Table 19]

[0344]

[Table 20] First, a detailed format of the node setting confirmation message will be described.

The destination field of the node setting confirmation message includes the node number of the node requesting confirmation of the setting of the VP / VC link and the setting of the connection, and the process number of the node setting process of the node (= 1). Is described.

[0346] The sender field describes the identifier of the process that issued the message, that is, the identifier of the connection setting process.

[0347] In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a node setting confirmation message, "0000 1001" in this embodiment, is described.

[0348] In the message number field, as described above, the sequence number, which is the lower two octets of the message serial number at the issuing source node, is described for the purpose of detecting message omission.

The following information is described in the message content field of this message.

In the first sub-field, a specified port (set as a port to which a confirmation request enters) is referred to as an input port in the setting / connection of the VP / VC link pair whose setting is to be confirmed. ) Is described.

In the next subfield, on the input port,
The identifier of the VP / VC link pair whose connection is to be confirmed, and the incoming VP
An I / VCI value is described.

The node that has received this message determines, with respect to the specified VP / VC link pair of the specified port, the port set by the VP / VC link pair to which it is connected (a confirmation request is issued). Port number (outgoing port number), the identifier of the VP / VC link pair, the outgoing VPI / V
A task for searching for a CI is performed, and a node setting confirmation response message is created and transmitted.

The destination field of the node setting confirmation response message describes the source field of the corresponding node setting confirmation message, that is, the identifier of the connection setting process. This makes it possible to transfer this message to the process requesting the process, that is, the connection setting process.

[0354] The sender field describes the identifier of the process that issued the message, that is, the node setting process requested to confirm the node setting in the message corresponding to the message.

[0355] In the message type field, a value indicating that the message is a node setting confirmation response message, in this embodiment, "1000 1001" is described.

In the message number field, as described above, the contents of the message number field of the corresponding message are described for the purpose of detecting a message omission.

In the message content field, information indicating the setting and connection of the VP / VC link pair specified by the node setting confirmation message is described. Specifically, the following information is described.

The first subfield describes an incoming port number, and the second subfield describes an incoming port number.

In the third subfield, the outgoing port number obtained from the search for the VP / VC link pair to which the VP / VC link pair specified by the incoming port number is connected is stored in the fourth subfield. The field contains the outgoing VPI / VCI value,
Each is described.

The last subfield contains these VPs
When the / VC link pair is undergoing policing / shaping, a parameter indicating the monitoring band is described.

By setting all bits of the input VPI / VCI value subfield to 0, the specified input VPI
Indicates that no VP / VC link pair is set in the / VCI value.

By setting all the bits of the outgoing port number subfield to 1, it indicates that the outgoing port for routing the designated VP / VC link pair is not designated. Further, setting all the bits of the outgoing VPI / VCI value subfield to 0 indicates that the VPI / VCI of the link pair connected to the specified VP / VC link pair is not set.

By setting all bits of the connection setting bandwidth subfield to 1, it indicates that monitoring by policing / shaping is not performed.

[0364] In the node setting confirmation message, the input V
When the PI / VCI value is set to VCI = 0 and the connection of the VP link pair is to be examined, a plurality of V
C link pairs may be connected. In this case,
Create and send multiple node setting confirmation response messages,
This is handled by presenting the VC link pairs connected to the VP link pair one by one.

Table 21 shows the detailed format of the communication partner search message, and Table 22 shows the detailed format of the communication partner search response message. It has the same format as the service search message shown in Table 5 and the service search response message shown in Table 6. The difference is that the process number (= 1) of the node / terminal / ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process is set as the process number of the destination of the communication partner search message, and the message type field is a numerical value representing the type of each message. And writing the node name to be searched in the message content field.

[0366]

[Table 21]

[0367]

[Table 22] The communication partner search message is passed to the node / terminal / ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process on the ATM-LAN. It is assumed that these processes have a function of mapping a node name and a node number, and among these processes, those having the node name described in the message create and send a communication partner search response message. . The node name of the terminal is stored in the hard disk drive,
The node name of the ATM-LAN accommodating device may be held in the nonvolatile RAM.

Table 23 shows the detailed format of the node name inquiry message, and Table 24 shows the detailed format of the node name inquiry response message. This is the communication partner search message shown in Table 21 and Table 22
And performs a process opposite to the process performed in the communication partner search response message shown in (1), and the message format changes accordingly.

[0369]

[Table 23]

[0370]

[Table 24] This concludes the description of the format of the message on the broadcast channel assumed in the present embodiment.

In addition to the above-mentioned messages, it is convenient to separately define a message for setting the node name from the terminal for the ATM-LAN node / ATM-LAN accommodating apparatus of the present embodiment. .

A message for monitoring the state of the physical layer of each node / terminal port may be defined from the connection setting process on the terminal. However, we have forgotten to define such a message for the following reasons.

As described above, in this embodiment, the broadcast channel is defined by each node / terminal / ATM-LAN
It is provided using a part of the transmission band of the transmission path between the accommodation devices. For this reason, it is not very effective to transfer the above-mentioned message through the broadcast channel to be monitored. For this reason, here, such a message is not provided, and physical layer monitoring is also performed in a step of securing an adjacent node number between processes sandwiching one transmission path.

As described above, the terminal accommodated in the ATM-LAN of this embodiment has a plurality of processes for receiving a message from a port for connection to the ATM-LAN. There is.

FIG. 17 shows this situation. FIG.
This diagram schematically shows a situation in which a connection for performing communication via a port is set on the terminal 1031 of the terminal, that is, the terminal on which the connection setting process is mounted, for an application process described by a user on the terminal.

As shown in the figure, a broadcast channel and a newly set connection are mixed on one port. ATM-LAN according to the present embodiment
In, as mentioned above, the broadcast channel and other connections are made up of the cell's VPI / VCI
Is identified using That is, in the situation shown in FIG. 17, the broadcast channel and the newly set connection are identified by VPI / VCI.

On the other hand, the message on the broadcast channel is transferred to a terminal setting process and a connection setting process. Also, the application process described by the user may need a message on the broadcast channel, for example, to be the target of a service search on the broadcast channel.

Therefore, a function of distributing a message on some broadcast channel to each process is required. As described above, this sorting function selects whether to pass the message to all processes that exchange information with the broadcast channel or to pass the message only to the specified process, depending on the value of the process number subfield of the destination field. Function is required.

In the case of sending a message from a plurality of processes to a broadcast channel, since a general workstation has only one processor, if the process is left to process scheduling in the OS, messages are automatically merged and output. This is not a big problem.

Further, in the present embodiment, the messages essentially requiring standardization in order to secure multi-vendor characteristics are an adjacent node number request message, an adjacent node number request response message, a configuration release request message, and a configuration release request message. Request response message, service search message and service search response message, node setting request message and node setting end message, node setting release request message and node setting release end message, node setting confirmation message and node setting confirmation response message. It should be noted that messages other than those described here can be used for messages, particularly those for which a process requests the connection setup / release to the connection setup process. For example, in the connection setting process, after the configuration recognition is completed, meta-signaling paths are set for all terminals by using a node setting message.
The connection may be set by a signaling protocol conforming to the T standard. Furthermore, the value of the message type field not used in the above-mentioned message is reserved for meta-signaling, and the protocol capable of transmitting the message for meta-signaling on the message content field is defined. Can be substituted by a broadcast channel. Because the connection setup process assumes that you are on a terminal (for example, a workstation)
The greatest feature of the ATM-LAN according to the present embodiment is that the user can freely select a protocol for connection setting. Further, when the broadcast bus, which is a major feature of the ATM-LAN of the present embodiment, is used and the value of the message type field not used in the messages described above is reserved,
It should be noted that the synchronization operation between the processes on the ATM-LAN is easy.

Next, a method for realizing a broadcast channel of an ATM cell, which is a major feature of the ATM-LAN according to the present embodiment, will be described in detail.

Obviously, to handle the messages described so far, the broadcast channel must have the following functions. That is, the ATM-LA according to the present embodiment is used.
N belongs to the broadcast channel immediately after power-on because all bits of the VPI / VCI are 1 to all devices constituting the ATM-LAN without the help of a connection setting process or the like. Is transferred only once, except for the device that has transmitted the cell to the broadcast channel.

This function is provided by the conventional ATM-LA.
N was not realized. ATM- by conventional technology
Since the LAN does not have this function, no communication can be performed unless a connection is set on the nodes constituting the ATM-LAN. For this reason, (terminals that are supposed to perform interconnection via ATM-LAN,
ATM is the controlling entity that sets up the connection, even though it is a relatively high-performance computing resource called a workstation.
-It could not be operated from a LAN node, and the node had to execute a complicated process called a connection setting function. As a result, while a terminal having a high computing capacity around the terminal and a capability of lending the computing power to another person, that is, a workstation, is arranged at a node, a relatively expensive computer (generally, the same workstation as the terminal) is used. Need to be connected), which has led to an increase in cost.

The broadcast channel, which is a feature of the ATM-LAN of this embodiment, is introduced for the purpose of solving this drawback.

In the ATM-LAN of the present invention, since the connection setting function can be freely realized on the terminal side, the application can freely set the connection, and as a result, the environment assumed by the application software to the outside. It is also possible to provide the ATM-LAN with the desirable property for networking of the application that the condition can be limited.

In the ATM-LAN according to the present embodiment, "one cell on the broadcast channel is transferred only once to a device other than the device which has transmitted the cell, immediately after the power is turned on". In addition, the connection method of the nodes is limited. That is, in the ATM-LAN, nodes are connected in a topology having no loop.
If a topology having no loop is adopted as a node connection method, it is easy to define a spanning tree in the ATM-LAN immediately after power-on, and as a result, the spanning tree is used. A broadcast channel that starts operating immediately after power-on can be easily realized.

A well-known topology having no loop includes a bus structure and a tree structure. In this embodiment, traffic of the entire network is not concentrated on a single transmission path. It adopts a tree structure.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show the ATM-L of this embodiment.
It shows how cells transmitted to a broadcast channel by each device constituting the AN are transferred in the ATM-LAN. FIG. 2 shows an ATM-LAN accommodating apparatus 1011, a node 1021 having a node number 1, a node 1022 having a node number 2, a node 1023 having a node number 3, and a node number 14 having a configuration shown in FIG. 2. Terminal 10
38, the state of transfer on the terminal 1039 of the node number 15 is shown.

When describing an algorithm using a tree structure, the terms root and leaf are generally used. As is well known, the root is the root of the tree structure, and the leaf is the leaf of the tree structure. In FIGS. 18 and 19, the leaf is A
TM-LAN accommodating device setting process 10111, node setting processes 10211, 10221 and 10231, terminal setting processes 10381 and 10391, a terminal setting process for performing communication using a broadcast channel, and processes 1607 and 1608 on other terminals. Yes, and the route is roughly speaking, ATM-LAN
It is a storage device 1011. The exact route location will be clear from the description below. In accordance with common practice, the terms root and leaf are again used to describe how cells are transferred on a broadcast channel.

First, FIG. 18 will be described in detail. FIG. 18 shows the details of the step in which cells on the broadcast channel are merged once.

The terminal accommodated in the ATM-LAN according to the present embodiment collects cells to be transmitted on a broadcast channel (hereinafter abbreviated as broadcast cells) from a process of performing communication using the broadcast channel and joins them. And send it out. In FIG. 1, a process for communicating using a broadcast channel on terminal 1038, 10381 and 160
7 passes the broadcast cell to the merging function 1605 on the terminal 1038. The merge function 1605 merges the transmitted broadcast cells and transmits the merged broadcast cells (arrows labeled 1611). Similarly, on the terminal 1039, the merging function 1606 merges and sends out the broadcast cells passed from each process (arrows denoted by 1612).

It should be noted that the merging function on the terminal can be easily realized by process switching for creating a multi-process environment in the OS controlling the terminal, as described above. .

In the node constituting the ATM-LAN according to the present embodiment, an operation of merging broadcast cells input from the leaf side and transmitting the merged broadcast cells to the root side is performed. A broadcast cell transmitted by one leaf called a node setting process, which the node has, is joined to the broadcast cell transmitted to the root side. In FIG. 18, in the node 1023, the broadcast cell 1611 transmitted from the terminal 1038, the broadcast cell 1612 transmitted from the terminal 1039,
Broadcast cell 16 input from another leaf side
13 and the broadcast cell transmitted from the node setting process 10231 are merged by the merging function 1604 and transmitted (arrows marked with 1615). The same operation is performed by the merging function 1603 of the node 1022 and the merging function 1602 of the node 1602.

The means for realizing the merging function on the node in this embodiment will be described later in detail.

Further, in the ATM-LAN accommodating device which is a component of the ATM-LAN according to the present embodiment, the node 1
In the broadcast cell 1616 transmitted from the leaf side passed from the 616, the AT which is the leaf held by the
Broadcast cells transmitted by the M-LAN accommodating device setting process 10111 are merged by the merging function 1601 and transmitted (arrows with reference numeral 1607). In the ATM-LAN according to the present embodiment, the route of the broadcast channel is exactly the arrow labeled 1607. The configuration of the merging function 1601 in the ATM-LAN accommodating apparatus will be described later in detail.

According to the above operation, the flow of the broadcast cell transmitted from the merging function 1601 indicated by the arrow 1607 is changed to the ATM according to the present embodiment.
It is clear that the broadcast cells on the LAN that are sent by all processes using the broadcast channel are included, ie that all the broadcast cells can merge. Subsequently, the operation of the broadcast channel is realized by transferring the merged broadcast cells to each leaf.

The operation for transferring the merged broadcast cells to all leaves will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 illustrates the same range as FIG. 18 in the ATM-LAN shown in FIG.

The merged broadcast cells (160
7) First, an ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process which is copied by the copy function 1601 inside the ATM-LAN accommodating device 1011 and transmitted to the outside (arrow with reference numeral 1709), and which is a leaf of the broadcast channel. 10111. At this time, by referring to the destination field in the information section of the broadcast cell and filtering only the cell that is passed to the ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process before passing it, unnecessary cells are passed to the process. Needless to say, the execution efficiency of the process is improved. In this filtering, it is also possible to refer to the sender field, confirm that the message is not transmitted by the ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process, and pass the message to the process. As a result, it is possible to avoid receiving the message sent by the user.

The broadcast cell transmitted from the merging function 1601 in the ATM-LAN accommodating apparatus 1011 is:
The data is input to the copy function 1702 of the node 1021. The copy function 1702 transmits the input broadcast cell while copying it to the leaf side (reference numeral 171).
0, 1711), along with the node configuration process 10211 which is the leaf of the broadcast channel.
Passed to. At this time, as described above, by referring to the destination / source field in the information section of the broadcast cell, it is possible to perform filtering only on the cell that is passed to the node setting process.

Hereinafter, similarly, each of the nodes 1022, 102
The third copy functions 1703 and 1704 copy the broadcast cells (arrows with reference numerals 1710 and 1711) input from the root side to the leaf side and transmit them (reference numerals 1712, 1713, 1714, 1715, and 1716).
And a node setting process 10221, 10, which is a leaf of a broadcast channel.
231.

The terminals 1038 and 1039 have distribution functions 1075 and 1076, and perform the operation of copying the passed broadcast cell to a necessary process if necessary and passing it, as described above.

With the above operation, the cells on the broadcast channel are transferred to all the processes that are the leaves of the broadcast channel.

Next, the operation of each node required to operate the entire ATM-LAN as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

[0404] Fig. 20 shows a method of transferring broadcast cells within one node. FIG.
Shows a case where port 1, port 2 and port 3 are connected to the leaf side of the broadcast channel, and port 4 and port 5 are connected to the root side of the broadcast channel. As described above, in the case of the tree structure, since traffic tends to concentrate near the root, a plurality of transmission paths can be provided at the nodes near the root toward the root. FIG. 20 shows this situation.

[0405] Each port of each node is provided with information indicating whether the port is connected to the leaf side or to the root side. This information is provided by a user using a mechanical switch (see FIG.
22, and set by the mechanical switch 2101) in FIG. In other words, if the user
When setting is performed by the switch 2101, the broadcast
Tree that constitutes the communication transmission path formed in the
-Check if the above nodes are connected to the root side of the structure.
Information that indicates whether the connection is
Become.

The broadcast cell input from the port designated as the leaf side and the broadcast cell transmitted from the node setting process are merged once, and one of the ports designated as the root side is selected. And output.

On the other hand, a broadcast cell input from one of the ports designated as the root side is:
It is copied and output to all ports on the leaf side, and is also given to the node setting process.

By performing the above operation by all the nodes, it becomes possible to set a broadcast channel in the whole ATM-LAN.

Here, when a broadcast cell input from the root side is passed to the node setting process, an address filter function for passing only the cell transmitted to the node setting process should be provided. ,
Unnecessary broadcast cells do not reduce the throughput of the node setting process.

[0410] Also, the port that transmits a broadcast cell input from the leaf side / receives the broadcast cell and transfers it to the leaf side from the plurality of ports designated as the root side is selected from the node side described above. Or the state of the mechanical switch that is set to be the leaf side or the leaf side may be performed in such a manner that the node setting process reads / selects / reselects periodically when the power is turned on. . Further, the network synchronization of the entire ATM-LAN may be established by synchronizing the node device with a clock extracted from the data input from the selected root port. This function can be performed by the node setting process using only the information set on the mechanical switch of the node on which the node is mounted.
Even if such a method is adopted, it is needless to say that the broadcast channel can be operated immediately after the power is input.

Further, in the case of an isolated ATM-LAN which is not connected to the ATM-LAN accommodating device, a node whose mechanical switches are all on the leaf side recognizes that it is a broadcast channel route, and , The broadcast cells input from the port may be merged once, and then output to all the ports. The network synchronization in this case is such that the node inside the ATM-LAN depends on the clock generated by the node that recognizes itself as the root.

[0412] If the user sets the mechanical switch incorrectly, a situation occurs in which the broadcast channel is cut off halfway, the broadcast cell loops, and a large number of copies are made. In order to prevent this, it is conceivable to fix the connection direction of each port, that is, whether it is the leaf side or the root side,
In this case, the usage of the node is fixed,
Not desirable.

[0413] Also, since an algorithm is adopted in which broadcast cells are once joined at the route of the broadcast channel and copied from there, if any failure occurs in the route of the broadcast channel, A
The influence spreads to the whole TM-LAN.

When the ATM-LAN of this embodiment is applied to an application requiring reliability, this property may be unacceptable. In order to avoid this, for example, as shown in FIG. 21, the ATM-LAN node device is duplicated, and the terminal is connected to each ATM-LAN.
A configuration for making multiple attributions may be adopted. In this case, it is more preferable that the ATM-LAN accommodating devices are also duplicated as shown in FIG. 1 and each of them is connected to another node of a higher-level network.

Next, the configuration of a node which is a component of the ATM-LAN according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

FIG. 22 shows the configuration of a node. The configuration of the node shown here is disclosed by the present inventors in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
The structure of the ATM switching system proposed at 51 is simplified and a broadcast channel specific to the present invention is added. In FIG.
001-n receives the cell flow from the adjacent node, performs the processing described below, and provides the ATM switch 2003 with the line INF on the receiving side.
The line INF on the transmission side which receives the cell flow given from the TM switch 2003 and performs the processing described below and supplies it to the adjacent node is connected to the line INF2 on the reception side.
001-n to 0012002-n, and receives each cell from a desired transmission line INF2002-1.
ATM switch forwarding to 2002-n, 2004
Is a broadcast bus for concentrating cells belonging to a broadcast channel branched from the reception-side lines INF2001-1 to 2001-n and transferring the cells to the microprocessor 2008 or the transmission-side lines INF2002-1 to 2002-n. , Broadcast bus 2
By defining a time slot on the line 004, the microprocessor 2008 and the line INF 2001-1 on the receiving side are defined.
To the broadcast bus 200.
4, a time slot creation function that gives the right to transmit a cell, the value of the destination node number field in the cell stream on the broadcast bus 2004 is set to all terminal broadcast designation, adjacent node branch instruction, or own node number. A first address filter that takes in a cell having a value equal to and satisfies a condition to be described later into the microprocessor 2008 side.
008, once the cell created is held and the time slot creation function 2005 gives the right to send it to the broadcast bus 2004, a first cell FIFO for sending one of the held cells to the broadcast bus , 2008 are broadcast buses 2004
The operation specified by the cell input from the communication line INF2001-1 to 2001-n on the reception side, the line INF2002-1 to 2002-n on the transmission side, and the ATM switch 2
003, a microprocessor that executes the node setting process. 2009
Is a RAM used as a work area for the operation of the microprocessor 2008, 2010 is a ROM used to hold a program for the operation of the microprocessor 2008, and 2011 is a first address filter. In accordance with an instruction from the microprocessor 2006 or the microprocessor 2008, the first address filter 2006 transfers the cells taken into the microprocessor 2008 to the RAM 2009, and the microprocessor 2008
DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) for transferring the cell created above to the first cell FIFO, respectively
The receiving line INF has a function of receiving a bit sequence from an adjacent node, performing bit synchronization, frame synchronization, and cell synchronization on the bit sequence to reproduce a cell stream from the bit sequence. The receiving-side physical layer function 20002 receives the cell flow from the receiving-side physical layer function 20111, analyzes the VPI / VCI of each cell in the cell flow, and transmits the transmission-side line INF.
A line to which the cell is to be transferred is selected from 2002-1 to 2002-n, and the line IN of the line to which the cell is to be transferred
F2002-1 to 2002-n, a routing tag, which is instruction information for causing the ATM switch 2003 to transfer the cell, is added, and the VP at the time of output of the cell is added.
A routing tag addition function 20013 having a function of rewriting the VPI / VCI field of a cell at the time of input to the I / VCI and sending the rewritten data, and a routing tag addition function 200013
012 is sent to the broadcast bus 2004 if the cell in the cell flow indicates that the cell belongs to the broadcast channel by indicating that VPI and VCI are all 1 To the ATM switch 2003, the second address filter having a forwarding function,
No. 014 receives the cell transmitted from the second address filter 20013 and temporarily holds the cell.
Cell FIFO for transmitting the cell to the broadcast bus if the transmission right to the cell is given.
Is a cell insertion function for taking in a cell satisfying the conditions described later from the cells placed on the broadcast bus 2004 and inserting and outputting the cell in the cell stream from the ATM switch 2003. Flow, routing tag addition function 2001
2. Delete and output the routing tag added in 2,
The routing tag deletion function 20023 is a transmission-side physical layer function that receives the cell stream output from the routing tag deletion function, calculates and rewrites the HEC field of the cell, and outputs it to the frame structure.

Next, the operation of this node will be described in detail. A bit string input from the input side of a certain line INF passes through a physical layer function (reception side) 20011, and after bit synchronization / frame synchronization / cell synchronization is obtained, is input to the routing tag addition function 20012 as a cell stream. . The routing tag adding function 20012 refers to the header part of each cell constituting the received cell flow, and adds a routing tag indicating a subsequent path in the node of the cell. At the same time, VPI at the output port of the cell
The header portion of the cell is rewritten to the value of / VCI and output to the second address filter 20013. Here, it should be noted that the VPI / VCI of the broadcast cell is output as it is without rewriting.

In the second address filter 20013,
The broadcast cell is branched from the cell stream received from the routing tag addition function 20012 and sent to the second cell FIFO 20004. Cells other than the broadcast cell are sent to the ATM switch 20004 and transferred to the port specified by the routing tag added by the routing tag addition function 20012.

[0419] The cell stream output from the ATM switch 20004 is first given to the cell insertion function 20021.
Here, a broadcast cell from the broadcast bus 2004 is inserted into the cell stream and passed to the routing tag delete function 22022. The routing tag deletion function 22022 deletes the routing tag added to the input cell, returns the cell to the format of the cell to be transmitted to the interface point, and returns to the transmission side physical layer function 200.
23. In the transmission side physical layer function 20023, a predetermined operation is performed on the received cell, for example, an HEC value is calculated and written in the HEC field.
An operation such as loading the cell into a frame format defined on a transmission path with an adjacent node is performed, and the cell is transmitted to the interface point.

On the other hand, a broadcast cell branched by the second address filter is handled in the node as follows.

In the second address filter, a broadcast cell (in this embodiment, VPI and all bits of VPI are indicated by 1) is branched.
The mechanical switch 2101 specifies whether the user has connected each port to the leaf side or the root side for each port. When this designation is on the leaf side, the fact that the cell has been input from the leaf side port is displayed in a bit at a predetermined position in the routing tag added by the routing tag addition function 20012, and the second
Is transferred to the cell FIFO22014.

On the other hand, if the mechanical switch 2101 specifies that the port is the root port, the broadcast cell input from the port is copied to the leaf side and transferred in the node setting process. If notified, the bits in the routing tag
The fact that the cell has been input from the port on the root side is displayed and transferred to the second cell FIFO 20014. If it is notified in the node setting process that the broadcast cell input from the port is to be discarded, the broadcast cell is not transferred to the second cell FIFO22014.

When a broadcast cell is transferred from the second address filter 20013 to the second cell FIFO 20004, the port number of the port to which the cell has been input is also written to a predetermined position in the routing tag. The broadcast cell transferred to the second cell FIFO 20004 is temporarily held there.

[0424] Also, the broadcast cell created by the microprocessor that is the entity that executes the node setting process is sent to the first cell FIFO 2007, where it is temporarily stored. At this time, the second cell FIFO 200
As in the case of the broadcast cell held in 14, a predetermined bit in the routing tag describes the input from the leaf side and the port number given to the cell FIFO22014. Further, the routing tag of the broadcast cell in which the branch at the adjacent node is specified includes, at a predetermined position, the broadcast cell of the adjacent node branch specification, and the port to which the broadcast cell is to be transmitted. The port number is described.

Each line INF (receiving side) described above
The cell outlets of the second cell FIFO 20014 and the first cell FIFO 2007 inside are connected to the broadcast bus 2004. Transmission of cells from these to the broadcast bus 2004 is controlled by a timeslot creation function 2005.

That is, the time slot creation function 2005
Sequentially gives cell FIFO groups connected to these broadcast buses cell transmission opportunities to the broadcast bus 2004 in accordance with a predetermined method. The cell FIFO to which the cell transmission opportunity has been given transmits the cell held from the oldest among the broadcast cells held by itself to the broadcast bus 2004.

Here, the predetermined method for giving a cell transmission opportunity is, for example, the broadcast bus 20.
The cell FIFO connected to the cell FIFO may be given a sequential cell transmission opportunity, or a cell FIFO having the largest number of cells may be selected from among these cell FIFOs. It may be relatively complicated, such as giving a transmission opportunity.

By the above operation, all the ports except the port designated to be discarded from the node setting process and all the broadcast cells from the microprocessor 2008 are joined to the broadcast bus 2004.

[0429] On the other hand, the function of taking in cells from the broadcast bus 2004 includes the function of each line INF (transmission side).
And a first address filter 2006.

First, the operation of the first address filter 2006 will be described in detail.

[0431] The first address filter 2006 takes in a broadcast cell from the broadcast bus 2004 in accordance with a predetermined condition, temporarily holds the broadcast cell, and issues a DAM request to the DMAC 2011. DMA
C2011 is the first address filter 2006
Upon receiving the MA request, the first address filter 200
6 is performed to transfer the cells held in the RAM 6 to a predetermined area of the RAM 2009. At this time, the input port number of the cell added by the second address filter 20013 is also transferred to the RAM 2009 at the same time.
When the transfer of the broadcast cell to the RAM by the DMAC 2011 is completed, the node setting process operating on the microprocessor 2008 receives the cell and performs the operation specified by the cell.

The conditions under which the first address filter 2006 takes in cells are as follows. That is, in the broadcast cell in which the input from the root side is displayed, the value of the destination field is an adjacent node branch, all terminal broadcasting, or the node number assigned to the node, and The source field whose node number is not described is imported. Broadcast cells that indicate that they have been input from the leaf side by bits in the routing tag are not taken in.

When the mechanical switch 2101 indicates that all nodes INF accommodated by the node are on the leaf side, the node operates as a root. It is necessary to change the operation of the cell input from the leaf side as follows. That is, the node setting process is performed by all the mechanical switches 21.
When detecting that the leaf side is displayed at 01, the first address filter 2006 is notified of the fact. When the leaf side is indicated by all the mechanical switches 2101, the first address filter 2006 is a cell in which the leaf side is indicated by a predetermined bit in the routing tag, and the value of the destination field is adjacent. A node branch, broadcast to all terminals, or a node number assigned to the node, and whose own node number is not described in the sender field are fetched.

Next, the operation of the cell insertion function 20021 of each line INF (transmission side) will be described in detail.

The cell insertion function 20021 fetches a broadcast cell from the broadcast bus 2004 in accordance with a predetermined condition,
From the cell stream given by At this time, when fetching a cell from the broadcast bus 2004, back pressure is applied to the ATM switch 2003 so that the cell is not transmitted from the ATM switch 2003 and the broadcast cell is received. The algorithm can be simplified and is a preferred embodiment. At this time, if the transmission capacity of the broadcast bus 2004 is sufficiently smaller than the transmission capacity of each input / output terminal of the ATM switch 2003, it is possible to avoid the problem that the traffic of the user cells is suppressed by the broadcast cells.

On the other hand, when a predetermined bit in the routing tag indicates that the broadcast cell is input from the root side,
When the line INF to which the user belongs is indicated by the mechanical switch 2101 to be connected to the leaf side,
Fetch the broadcast cell.

[0437] The predetermined conditions for receiving cells from the broadcast bus 2004 in the cell insertion function 20021 are specifically as follows.

First, for a broadcast cell in which a predetermined bit in the routing tag indicates that a branch at an adjacent node is designated,
The port number of the port to which the cell is to be output, which is specified at a predetermined position in the routing tag of the broadcast cell, is compared with the port number assigned to the line INF to which the cell belongs. Incorporate if you did.

[0439] Other broadcast cells operate as follows.

First, when a predetermined bit in the routing tag indicates that the broadcast cell is input from the leaf side,
If it is indicated on the line INF to which it belongs by a mechanical switch that it is connected to the root side, and it is specified in the node setting process that a broadcast cell is to be transmitted to the root side, Capture broadcast cells.

In the case where the mechanical switch 2101 indicates that the node is on the leaf side for all the line INFs accommodated by the node, the node operates as a root. The operation of the cell input from the leaf side needs to be changed as follows. That is,
When the node setting process detects that the leaf side is displayed on all the mechanical switches 2101, it notifies the cell insertion function 20021 of the fact. Cell insertion function 20
When the leaf side is indicated by all the mechanical switches 2101, the cell 211 takes in the cell whose leaf side is indicated by a predetermined bit in the routing tag.

[0442] In the adjacent node information request response message sent by the node setting process of the node, the mechanical switch 210 is connected to the port to which the message was sent.
Information indicating whether the node is a leaf side or a root side specified in 1 is added, and when this message is received by the node setting process, it is inconsistent with the specification of the mechanical switch 2101 at the port to which the message is input. If it is, that is, it is specified as the root side even though it is specified as the root side by the adjacent device, or it is specified as the leaf side even though it is specified as the leaf side by the adjacent device In this case, for example, as shown in FIG.
When a display element 2102 such as an LED arranged in correspondence with the mechanical switch 2101 is turned on to display to the user that there is an inconsistency in the setting of the port, the broadcast channel due to an incorrect setting of the mechanical switch 2101 can be displayed. Failures can be prevented.

If the ATM-LAN of this embodiment has a copy function, the ATM switch 20 shown in FIG.
03 has a function of creating a copy connection, that is, a function of transferring a cell input from one input port to a plurality of output ports in accordance with the routing tag, and a VPI performed by the routing tag addition function 20012. It is necessary to transfer the / VCI conversion to the routing tag deletion function 22022. The routing tag adding function 20012 adds a routing tag for copy connection requested by the ATM switch 2003 to the input cell and, at the same time, adds a routing tag deleting function 20.
At 022, it is also necessary to add a connection identifier in the node, which is a key for searching for a new VPI / VCI to be rewritten.

Further, in the ATM-LAN of the present embodiment, in order to increase the number of terminals / nodes that can be connected to one node, as shown in FIG. It may be set. In this case, the mechanical switch attached to each port is 2 bits in total, and whether each port is connected to the root side or the leaf side,
It may be indicated whether it is used as a crossing route. Even if a transfer route is set for a port designated as a transfer route by not sending a broadcast cell other than the adjacent node branch designation and not receiving a broadcast cell other than the adjacent node branch designation from the port, It goes without saying that the broadcast channel realization method described thus far can be used as well. In addition, in the adjacent node number request message / adjacent node number request response message, the information of the mechanical switch 2 bits is written, and the setting at the opposite node is inconsistent (ie
If you have specified the crossing route, but the other party has not been specified), you can easily find the setting mistake of the maintenance person by attaching the LED to the front panel of the housing that houses the node. The same is possible as described above.

[0445] When setting a transfer route, the ATM-LA
Attention must be paid to the configuration recognition of N. Since the physical links that are not the cross paths form a tree structure, first, the connection relation between these physical links and the nodes is recognized. Next, the physical link of the crossing route is added to the recognized tree structure. By performing the steps in this way, it is possible to reduce the labor required for recognizing the configuration of the portion having the loop structure.

[0446] Finally, the ATM-
The function of the ATM-LAN accommodating device, which is the third component of the LAN, will be described.

[0447] The ATM-LAN accommodating device is a higher-level ATM.
It is realized as one type of interface board of a communication network.
The ATM-LAN accommodating apparatus has 1) a function for performing communication between an agent for setting a connection to a higher-level ATM communication network and an ATM-LAN connection setting process according to an embodiment of the present invention; 2). VPI / cell of cells transferred from ATM-LAN to higher-level ATM communication network
A function of converting a VCI, a function of monitoring a connection set from the ATM-LAN to a higher-level ATM communication network, and a function of looping back a broadcast cell in the ATM-LAN are required.

FIG. 25 shows the configuration of the ATM-LAN accommodating device in the ATM-LAN of this embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 2201 denotes a physical layer that performs a physical layer function such as bit synchronization, frame synchronization, and cell synchronization on a bit string input from a reception input point of an interface point, and detects a head of a cell from the input bit string. A function (receiving side) 2207 performs a physical layer function such as HEC calculation and frame overhead addition on an input cell stream, and sends it to a transmission sending point of an interface point. A loopback function 2202 receives a cell flow from the physical layer function (reception side) 2101, branches a cell satisfying a predetermined condition, and inserts it into the cell flow to the physical layer function (transmission side) 2207. 2203 receives the cell whose loopback function 2202 did not branch, and determines the VPI / VC of the cell.
I is analyzed to convert from VPI / VCI in the ATM-LAN to VPI / VCI in the higher-level ATM communication network, and to add a routing tag indicating a port for transferring the cell to the cell. The routing tag adding function 2204 observes the cell flow flowing through 2203,
When exceeding a predetermined band, a policing function 2205 that discards some cells and monitors the cell flow so that the cell flow does not exceed the predetermined band receives the cell from the routing tag adding function, and The ATM switch 2206 that forwards the cell to a desired output port according to the attached routing tag removes the routing tag from the cell passed from the ATM switch, and changes the VPI / VCI of the cell to a higher-level ATM. Conversion from the communication network to the ATM-LAN, loopback function 2202, physical layer function (transmission side) 2
The routing tag deletion function 2208 that transfers the data to the path to be output to the transmission sending point via the transmission 207,
The management agent 10111 that controls the higher-level ATM communication network inside the TM communication network
This is an ATM-LAN accommodation device setting process for controlling the accommodation device.

[0449] As shown in the figure, it is desirable from the viewpoint of cost reduction that the ATM-LAN accommodating apparatus 1011 is configured to be directly connected to the ATM switch 2205 of one node of the higher-level ATM communication network.

The bit string input from the ATM-LAN is input from the physical layer function (reception side) 2201.
The head of the cell is recognized and becomes a cell flow, which is input to the loopback function 2202. Loopback function 2202
Then, from the input cell flow, a predetermined condition is determined. In the case of one embodiment of the present invention, all bits of VPI / VCI are 1, which means that the cell is a broadcast cell in the ATM-LAN. The cell is transferred to the routing tag addition function 2203 except for the cell that has been subjected to the operation. The cells transferred to the routing tag adding function 2203 are cells transmitted from the ATM-LAN to the upper ATM communication network, including cells for communication between the management agent 2208 and the ATM-LAN connection setting process. . The routing tag adding function 2203 rewrites the VPI / VCI of the cell at the same time as adding the routing tag to the input cell.

Here, the routing tag adding function 220
3 requires a VPI / VCI rewriting function for the following reason.

The ATM-LAN and the higher-level ATM communication network
Cell VPI and VCI usage may be different.
For example, in an ATM-LAN, only the lower 3 bits of the VPI and the lower 4 bits of the VCI are valid for cost reduction, but in the upper ATM communication network, the lower 6 bits of the VPI and the
The lower 10 bits of I are valid, and the VPI and VCI assigned within the upper ATM communication network are values that cannot be added in the ATM-LAN, or only the VC exchange is performed in the ATM-LAN. It means that only VP exchange is performed in the network. For this reason, the routing tag addition function 2203 converts the VPI / VCI in the ATM-LAN from the VPI / VCI in the higher-level ATM communication network.
A function for converting the VPI / VCI of an input cell into a VCI is required.

The policing function 2204 observes the cell flow passing through the routing tag adding function 2203 for each connection, and adds a routing tag to discard the cell if necessary so as not to exceed the band reserved in advance for each connection. Function 2203 is instructed. Thus, A
Prevents excessive traffic from flowing from the TM-LAN.

The ATM switch 2205 transfers the cell provided from the routing tag adding function 2203 to a desired port according to the routing tag.

On the other hand, the ATM-LA
The cell to be transferred to N is first input to the routing tag deletion function 2206, where the routing tag is deleted, and the VPI / VCI of the cell is set to the ATM-
Changed to a valid one in the LAN, loopback function 2
Output to 202. The VPI / VCI conversion here is also performed on the ATM-LAN and the VPI / VC of the upper ATM communication network.
This is performed to absorb the difference in ability regarding I recognition.

The loopback function 2202 transfers the cell flow received from the routing tag deletion function 2206 to the physical layer function (transmission side) 2207, detects an empty cell from the cell flow, and performs the above-described routing tag operation. It has a role to insert a broadcast cell branched from the cell flow to the additional function 2203. This is the exact route of the broadcast channel. Further, the loopback function 2202 includes
While selecting the one for the ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process 10111 and transferring them to the process,
It also has a function of outputting a broadcast cell transmitted by the process to a transmission transmission point.

The management agent 2208 and the AT
Communication with the M-LAN connection setup process may follow a signaling protocol defined by CCITT. In this case, Management Agent 2
A connection is set via the ATM-LAN accommodating device between the step 208 and the ATM-LAN connection setting process. In this case, the ATM-LAN accommodating device performs VPI / VCI conversion so that the meta-signaling cell output by the connection setting process is put on the connection connected to the management agent 2208, and may add a routing tag. good.

[0458]

As described above, according to the present invention, V
Since an ATM-LAN system can be configured by connecting a plurality of nodes having a P / VC link setting function and a VP / VC link connection function, the terminal can freely use the ATM-LAN using both functions. This makes it possible to provide a highly flexible ATM-LAN system in which a connection can be set.

Also, the ATM-LAN nodes are connected in a tree shape, and the user sets with a mechanical switch whether each port of each node is connected to the root side or the leaf side. With this configuration, the ATM-LAN node can provide a broadcast channel to the terminal immediately after the power is input, and can provide the terminal with a communication function necessary for performing connection setting.

Further, the path of the broadcast cell and other cells are separated inside the ATM-LAN node, and when the broadcast cell is transmitted to the interface point, back pressure is applied to the other cells. This simplifies node configuration,
The system can be realized at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ATM-LAN system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of the ATM-LAN system more specifically;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a connection setting process;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a node setting process;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a terminal setting process / ATM-LAN accommodating device setting process.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation performed when an adjacent node number is obtained.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation performed when performing configuration recognition.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation performed when performing configuration recognition.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation executed when a connection setting service is searched.

FIG. 10 illustrates a connection setting operation.

FIG. 11 illustrates a message sequence during a connection setting operation.

FIG. 12 illustrates a connection release operation.

FIG. 13 illustrates a message sequence during a connection release operation.

FIG. 14 illustrates a format of a message on a broadcast channel.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a format of type information.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining the correspondence between VP / VC links and VP / VC link pairs;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a broadcast channel and a process in a terminal.

FIG. 18 is a view for explaining a method of merging broadcast cells in a broadcast channel.

FIG. 19 is a view for explaining a method of distributing broadcast cells on a broadcast channel.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating handling of a broadcast cell in a node;

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining a duplexing method of the ATM-LAN system.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a node configuration in the ATM-LAN system;

FIG. 23 is an external view of the node device in the embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a configuration in a case where a crossover path is set in the ATM-LAN system;

FIG. 25 shows an ATM-in the ATM-LAN system.
Diagram for explaining the configuration of a LAN accommodating device

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Node 2 ... Terminal 3 ... Broadcast channel 4 ... VP / VC link 5 ... VP / VC link connection part 1011 ... ATM
-LAN accommodating devices 1021 to 1026 ... nodes 1031 to 104
3 Terminal 2101 Mechanical switch 2102 LED

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 12/28 H04L 12/46

Claims (25)

(57) [Claims] Claims: 1. A plurality of nodes, each of which is provided with a globally unique identifier, connected to the plurality of nodes and communicates with each other in an asynchronous transfer mode, each of which is globally unique. is defined identifier grant, and a plurality of terminal devices for transferring broadcast cell, provided on at least one of said plurality of terminal devices, the
On transmission paths between multiple nodes and between the above nodes and terminal devices
Virtual path or virtual channel link links linked setting request and setting for setting the in etc.
A connection setting process means for transmitting a link connection request for connecting the cattle; connecting the node and all of the terminal devices; and the link setting request and the link connection request from the connection setting process means to the node. And a broadcast channel for transmitting the identifier as a message as a part of the destination address as a message, provided in each of the nodes, the link setting request, the link connection request from the broadcast channel,
And receiving the identifier, based on the identifier to recognize the terminal device, characterized by comprising, a node setting process means for connecting set the link in accordance with the link setting request and the link connection request Network system. 2. A plurality of nodes, each of which is provided with an identifier determined globally unique, connected to the plurality of nodes and communicates with each other in an asynchronous transfer mode, each of which is globally unique. A plurality of terminal devices to which a predetermined identifier is assigned and which transmits a broadcast cell, and a link setting request for setting a link of a virtual path or a virtual channel, which is provided in at least one of the plurality of terminal devices, is set and set. Links between
A connection setting process means for transmitting a link connection request for connecting to connect all of the nodes and the terminal device, the link establishment request from the connection setting process means to said node, the link connection request, and To send the above identifier as part of the destination address as a message
Information set by the user for the port of each node
A broadcast channel formed of a communication transmission line formed according to the broadcast information, and provided in each of the nodes, the link setting request, the link connection request,
And receiving the identifier, based on the identifier to recognize the terminal device, characterized by comprising, a node setting process means for connecting set the link in accordance with the link setting request and the link connection request Network system. 3. The information indicates whether the node is connected to a root side or a leaf side of a tree structure constituting the communication transmission path formed in the broadcast channel, and The node transmits a message on the broadcast channel to the port designated as the leaf side, and a message input to all ports designated as the root side from the port designated as the leaf side 3. The network system according to claim 2, wherein 4. Common to all of the terminal device and the node
Broadcast address is determined, and the broadcast key
Network system according to claim 1, wherein Yasuto address, characterized in that it is ensured as the destination address of the message on the broadcast channel. 5. A plurality of nodes, each of which is provided with an identifier determined globally unique, connected to the plurality of nodes and communicates with each other in an asynchronous transfer mode, each of which is globally unique. A plurality of terminal devices to which a predetermined identifier is assigned and which transmits a broadcast cell, and a link setting request for setting a link of a virtual path or a virtual channel, which is provided in at least one of the plurality of terminal devices, is set and set. Links between
A connection setting process means for transmitting a link connection request for connecting to connect all of the nodes and the terminal device, the link establishment request from the connection setting process means to said node, the link connection request, and A broadcast channel for transmitting the identifier as a part of the destination address as a message, provided in each of the nodes, the link setting request, the link connection request,
And receiving the identifier, based on the identifier to recognize the terminal device, anda node setting processing means for coupling to set the link in accordance with the link setting request and the link connection request, processes the message That includes an identifier of a processing means for performing the processing, the identifier is given in advance by the terminal device or the node including the processing means, and as a part of a destination address of a message on the broadcast channel. A network system characterized by being used. 6. An identifier whose one value is reserved for transmitting a message on the broadcast channel to all process means provided in the node and the terminal device. The network system according to claim 5, wherein 7. A plurality of nodes, each of which is provided with a globally unique identifier, connected to the plurality of nodes and communicates with each other in an asynchronous transfer mode, each of which is globally unique. A plurality of terminal devices to which a predetermined identifier is assigned and which transmits a broadcast cell, and a link setting request for setting a link of a virtual path or a virtual channel, which is provided in at least one of the plurality of terminal devices, is set and set. Links between
A connection setting process means for transmitting a link connection request for connecting to connect all of the nodes and the terminal device, the link establishment request from the connection setting process means to said node, the link connection request, and A broadcast channel for transmitting the identifier as a part of the destination address as a message, provided in each of the nodes, the link setting request, the link connection request,
And receiving the identifier, based on the identifier to recognize the terminal device, anda node setting processing means for coupling to set the link in accordance with the link setting request and the link connection request, each of the nodes Has a plurality of ports connected to form a tree topology, and a plurality of switches for connecting the ports to either the node side or the leaf side of the tree topology. Network system. 8. A plurality of nodes, each of which is provided with a globally unique identifier, connected to the plurality of nodes and communicates with each other in an asynchronous transfer mode, each of which is globally unique. A plurality of terminal devices to which a predetermined identifier is assigned and which transmits a broadcast cell, and a link setting request for setting a link of a virtual path or a virtual channel, which is provided in at least one of the plurality of terminal devices, is set and set. Links between
A connection setting process means for transmitting a link connection request for connecting to connect all of the nodes and the terminal device, the link establishment request from the connection setting process means to said node, the link connection request, and A broadcast channel for transmitting the identifier as a part of the destination address as a message, provided in each of the nodes, the link setting request, the link connection request,
And receiving the identifier, based on the identifier to recognize the terminal device, anda node setting processing means for coupling to set the link in accordance with the link setting request and the link connection request, each of the nodes Is a line for transmitting broadcast cells and a line for transmitting other types of cells, and two independent lines, and for inserting the broadcast cells into the stream of other types of cells, A back pressure applying means for applying back pressure to a stream of another type of cell. 9. A plurality of nodes, and a plurality of terminal devices that communicate in the asynchronous transfer mode between each connected to the plurality of nodes, provided on at least one of said plurality of terminal devices, the
On transmission paths between multiple nodes and between the above nodes and terminal devices
Virtual path or virtual channel link links linked setting request and setting for setting the in etc.
Connection setting processing means for transmitting a link connection request for linking the cattle; connecting the node and the terminal device, wherein the connection is formed according to information set by a user for each port of each node; A broadcast channel for transmitting a message including the link setting request and the link connection request from the connection setting process means to the node; and a broadcast channel provided at each of the nodes. A plurality of node setting process means for receiving the link setting request and the link connection request from the server, and setting and connecting the link according to the link setting request and the link connection request. system. 10. A plurality of nodes, and a plurality of terminal devices that communicate in the asynchronous transfer mode between each connected to the plurality of nodes, provided on at least one of said plurality of terminal devices, the
On transmission paths between multiple nodes and between the above nodes and terminal devices
Virtual path or virtual channel link links linked setting request and setting for setting the in etc.
A connection setting process means for transmitting a link connection request for connecting a cow ; and a message for connecting the node and the terminal device, the message including the link setting request and the link connection request, A broadcast channel to be transmitted from the connection setting process means to the node; provided in each of the nodes; receiving the link setting request and the link connection request from the broadcast channel, and according to the link setting request and the link connection request ; A plurality of node setting process means for setting and connecting links . 11. Connect the plurality of terminal devices, in the row Nau network system the data communication between the terminal device, the device to other terminal devices connected to the terminal device from a predetermined terminal device predetermined signal so as to acquire the number information
Broadcaster and first transmission means, the number information of the first device from said another terminal device in response to the transmitted said predetermined signal in a transmission means for transmitting the No.
Based on the second transmission means for transmitting data in the broadcast method, and the device number information transmitted by the second transmission means.
In at least one of the plurality of terminal devices, a network
Create a database on network configuration and
And a recognition means for recognizing . 12. A terminal device, comprising: connecting a plurality of terminal devices;
In a network system that performs data communication between
From a predetermined terminal device to another terminal connected to the terminal device.
Device number information and physical layer speed information for terminal equipment
Transmission means for transmitting a predetermined signal to obtain
When, in response to the predetermined signal transmitted by the first transmission means
From the other terminal device and the device
The second method of transmitting the speed information by a broadcast method
Transmission means, and the number information and object of the equipment transmitted by the second transmission means.
Based on the physical layer speed information, at least
Network configuration and physical layer speed in one
Create a database on
Network means, comprising:
Stem. 13. The plurality of terminal devices connected by a network, in the row Nau network communication method of data communication between the terminal devices, in addition to the terminal device connected to the terminal device from a predetermined terminal device a predetermined signal to transmit, number information and physical layer rate information equipment from the other terminal device in response to the transmitted said predetermined signal so as to acquire the number information and physical layer rate information of the device for Bro
And the physical layer speed information of the transmitted device.
In at least one of the plurality of terminal devices,
Database on network configuration and physical layer speed
A communication method for a network, comprising creating a source and recognizing a device configuration . 14. Connect the plurality of terminal devices, in the row Nau network system the data communication between the terminal device, the device to other terminal devices connected to the terminal device from a predetermined terminal device predetermined signal so as to acquire the number information
Broadcaster and first transmission means, the number information of the first device from said another terminal device in response to the transmitted said predetermined signal in a transmission means for transmitting the No.
Based on the second transmission means for transmitting data in the broadcast method, and the device number information transmitted by the second transmission means.
In at least one of the plurality of terminal devices, a network
Create a database on network configuration and
A network system , comprising : recognition means for recognizing, and performing data communication between the terminal devices based on the device configuration recognized by the recognition means. 15. A communication system comprising: a plurality of nodes; and a plurality of terminal devices connected to the plurality of nodes and communicating with each other in an asynchronous transfer mode. A broadcast cell is transmitted from one to another terminal device and a node setting process means for controlling the node, and a user cell is transmitted from one of the plurality of terminal devices to the other between two selected devices. There, the ATM switch for exchanging user cells, and bus for exchanging broadcast cell, the blow to the interface point
Network system, characterized in that it comprises a means for delivering the broadcast cell to the output port corresponding to the ATM switch for outputting Dokyasuto cell. 16. A plurality of nodes, and a plurality of terminal devices that communicate in the asynchronous transfer mode between each connected to the plurality of nodes, provided on at least one of said plurality of terminal devices, the
On transmission paths between multiple nodes and between the above nodes and terminal devices
Virtual path or virtual channel link links linked setting request and setting for setting the in etc.
Connection setting process means for transmitting a link connection request for connecting the cattle; connecting the node and all of the terminal devices ; and connecting the link setting request and the link connection request to the node from the connection setting process means and broadcast channel for transmitting a message, provided in each of the nodes, receives the link establishment request and the link connection request from the broadcast channel, set the link in accordance with the link setting request and the link connection request connection The plurality of terminal devices and each of the plurality of nodes are provided with a globally unique identifier used as a part of a destination address of the message on the broadcast channel. Yes, Broadki List address,
A network system, which is common to all of the terminal devices, wherein an adjacent node branch address is reserved as a destination address of the message on the broadcast channel. 17. A plurality of nodes, and a plurality of terminal devices that communicate in the asynchronous transfer mode between each connected to the plurality of nodes, provided on at least one of said plurality of terminal devices, the
On transmission paths between multiple nodes and between the above nodes and terminal devices
A connection setting process means for transmitting a link connection request for connecting the link setting request and set link each other to set up a link virtual path or virtual channel, all of the node and the terminal device A broadcast channel for connecting and transmitting the link setting request and the link connection request as a message from the connection setting process means to the node; and a broadcast channel provided at each of the nodes, wherein the broadcast channel transmits the link setting request and the link connection. A node setting process means for receiving a request and setting and linking the link according to the link setting request and the link connection request, wherein the connection setting process means is one of the terminal devices.
When receiving the message from one of the nodes, the plurality of nodes, the transmission line traversed by the requested connection, and the virtual path identifier or a set of virtual paths and virtual channels to be allocated for all determined transmission lines A network system for determining and sending the link setup request and the link connection request including the virtual path identifier or the set of virtual paths and virtual channels. 18. A plurality of terminal devices connected by a network.
Network for performing data communication between the terminal devices.
In click system, and means for recognizing configurations to know the configuration of the network at least one of said plurality of terminal devices, and means for transmitting from the terminal device to another terminal device in accordance with recognized configured by this means, A network system comprising: 19. plurality of terminal devices the tangent <br/> by a network connection, in a communication method of a network for performing data communication between the terminal device, the network in at least one of the plurality of terminal devices <br / A network communication method, comprising: performing network configuration recognition; and performing data transmission from one terminal device to another terminal device in accordance with the recognized configuration. 20. The network communication method according to claim 17, wherein said network configuration recognition is performed at startup. 21. When performing configuration recognition, configuration recognition is performed.
18. The network communication method according to claim 17 , wherein information for the communication is transmitted from the terminal device to all devices in the network. 22. A plurality of terminal devices connected by a network.
Network for performing data communication between the terminal devices.
In the network communication method, at least one of the plurality of terminal devices includes the network.
Network configuration is recognized, and one terminal device transmits the other terminal in accordance with the recognized configuration.
Data transmission to the terminal device, and when recognizing the network configuration, the terminal device
Devices connected to other networks from the device.
Transmits information indicating the attributes of terminal devices by broadcast
A communication method for a network, comprising: 23. A plurality of terminal devices connected by a network.
Network for performing data communication between the terminal devices.
In the network communication method, at least one of the plurality of terminal devices includes the network.
Network configuration is recognized, and one terminal device transmits the other terminal in accordance with the recognized configuration.
Data transmission to the terminal device, and when recognizing the network configuration, the terminal device
From the device to devices connected to other networks.
Broadcasting layer speed information
A communication method for a network, comprising: 24. A network communication method for connecting a plurality of terminal devices and performing data communication between the terminal devices, comprising: connecting devices in the network including the terminal devices in a tree-like manner; the plurality of end configuration of each device
A network communication method comprising: recognizing at least one of the terminal devices; and performing data communication between the terminal devices based on the recognized configuration. 25. A network communication method for connecting a plurality of terminal devices and performing data communication between the terminal devices, wherein at least one of the terminal devices performing the data communication is connected.
The connection required to perform the above data communication
Connection setting request message containing information on the requested bandwidth
Message to another terminal, and receives the connection setup request message.
Set up the above connection in at least one terminal device
A communication method for a network, comprising: