JP3201731B2 - Port segment switching method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plurality of switching devices constituting a local area network (LAN).
For a hub, a port for setting a common micro segment for each of a plurality of ports of each switching hub
It relates to a segment switching method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, LAN systems have a configuration structured in a star topology, and are becoming popular because they are advantageous in terms of maintenance costs. A network management center is located at the root of the star topology, and LAN devices such as switching hubs and servers are centrally managed from the network management center. The network branches from the network management center to each site, building and floor at a corporate level hierarchically to the backbone of the building and the wiring closet (concentration room) of the floor.

By the way, L using a switching hub
In the AN system, it is possible to form a virtual bridging group for each port or MAC address of the switching hub.
Such a virtual group is called a VLAN (Virtual LAN) because logical segmentation (creation of a virtual LAN) can be realized without depending on physical connections.

[0004] Furthermore, OSI (Open Systems Interco)
nnection) The basic reference model, which has been extended to grouping for layer 3 (third layer) network layer addresses (network addresses), is distinguished as a virtual network or virtual subnet. , The layer 2 (second layer) VLAN and the layer 3 VLAN.

[0005] In the layer 2 VLAN, the port or MA
Based on the C address, a packet of the same VLAN group identified by a frame, a tag, or the like as a VLAN-ID of the layer 2 is multicast to all ports of the same VLAN segment, or a packet whose destination MAC address has been learned is Switching by unicast. Basically, the subnet of the routing protocol and the VLAN segment are set to be the same, and other VLAN groups are routed because the subnet is different. OSPF (Open Shortest Path F
The address space can be customized into smaller groups by the bit-by-bit subnet method of irst, RFC1247) and VLSM (variable length subnet mask).

[0006] On the other hand, in the layer 3 VLAN, the layer 3 VLAN
-Same VL identified by subnet ID etc. as ID
A packet in the AN group is switched to a port whose network address has been learned by unicast or multicast. Layer 2 VLAN
Similarly, the routing protocol subnet and VL
The subnet ID is set so that the AN segment is the same, and the other VLAN groups are routed because the subnets are different.

[0007] In the VLAN of the layer 3 as well, based on the network address, packets in the same VLAN groove identified by the subnet ID or the like as the layer 3 VLAN-ID are switched by unicast or multicast to the port whose network address has been learned. . Routing Protocol Subnets and VLANs
The subnet ID is set so that the segments are the same, and the other VLAN groups are routed because the subnets are different.

[0008] Multicast is used in videoconferencing and the like, and the amount of information is large. How efficiently multicast is transmitted greatly affects performance such as delay time. The current Internet allows bit omission of images and is accepted even if the sound quality of the telephone is poor, but since it is transmitted together with other information that requires the guarantee of transmission quality, a huge video conference of multicast It is important to guarantee the transmission of transactions that require a large delay time for the traffic for use, to increase the network utilization rate, and at the same time to increase the reliability.

Conventional bridge standard IEEE80
2. The ID filtering function is extended, and priority setting by a traffic class at a bridge and group setting and filtering of a dynamic multicast filtering service are carried out according to IEEE 80.
Standardization is underway for 2.1p. On the other hand, the above IE
IEEE 802.1Q, a service called a virtual bridged LAN that further extends IEEE 802.1p
Standardization is also underway.

The conventional LAN switch is programmed by a high-speed microprocessor such as a RISC processor. However, a product which is formed into an LSI chip also appears. In the future, a high-performance chip integrated with a higher degree of integration will be used. It seems to be realized. There is also provided a switch device having separate buffers (queues) and data buses for unicast and multicast (broadcast), and having a configuration in which priority processing can be performed between the two.

On the other hand, a router subnet for a VLAN segment is allowed to have a one-to-one correspondence or a one-to-many correspondence, and a plurality of VLAN segments are not formed in one subnet. Routers are based on routing Internet Protocols, and SNAs (Systems) other than routable protocols that conform to the standard are used.
Networking (Architecture) etc. are bridging.

In a typical network in a building, a backbone LA is connected from a network center in the building to a wiring closet (concentration room) on each floor.
N is subtracted and this wiring closet has frame switching
A configuration switching device is installed to support the device and micro-segments that can physically reconfigure each port into a different segment.

This micro-segment is defined locally and positioned as a segment divided into virtual LAN segments.
(Personal computer) is a unit that can share media without collision. In the configuration switching device, a micro segment is set for each port and reconfigured. The virtual LAN segment is L
It is defined in the upper layer of the AN system and is common among sites, buildings, and floors that are under network management. However, in the above micro segment, the configuration switching device installed in the wiring closet on each floor is Defined locally at lower levels and closed within individual configuration switching devices. In addition, from the configuration switching device of the wiring closet to the desktop, it is a single segment only by wiring or a repeater connection.

[0014]

In a conventional configuration switching device (switching hub), a micro segment that can be set for each port of the configuration switching hub is a micro segment of the internal bus of the configuration switching hub. Limited to a segment or limited to the extent that multiple ports can be interconnected by multiple cables between the ports set in the segment of the configuration switching hub, and between multiple switching hubs installed at remote locations The segment settings were limited.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of switching devices.
An object of the present invention is to provide a port segment switching method in which a common micro segment can be set for each port between hubs.

[0016]

According to the first aspect of the present invention , each port of a switching hub is provided to achieve the above object.
To which micro segment belongs
Segment management unit for setting and managing
Port that belongs to each micro segment for received packets
A plurality of switches;
Switching hubs, and each switching hub
One or more switching with any combination of ports
・ Set a common micro segment between hubs
In the row of TURMERIC and send and receive packets at the micro-segment units port of each switching hub belongs characterized, packets input to and output from each port of the switching hub, same to all micro-segment that belongs the port This eliminates the need to specify individual ports as destination addresses for packets. That is, packets are transmitted and received between ports registered as members of the micro-segment as if they were virtual repeaters sharing a medium. In addition, since independent micro segments can be shared, and each micro segment can be set for each port, an efficient network can be easily constructed without depending on the type of terminal, network address, and the like.

The invention of claim 2 is the invention of claim 1, segment management table is a possible set of micro-segments multiplexed as any port of the switching hub belongs to a plurality of micro-segments, Sui
The switch control unit converts a packet input to one port into
The transfer is performed to all micro segments to which this port belongs. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the segment management table is a
Priority of the micro-segment can be set , and priority processing for performing priority processing among a plurality of micro segments according to the priority can be performed.
And a processing control unit is provided .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the transmission and reception of a packet is controlled for each port by an arbitrary switching hub. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a filter control for setting the presence or absence of broadcast and multicast filtering in units of micro segments.
A part is provided .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a segment control API unit for dynamically changing the setting of the micro segment from application software or the like is provided for each port. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of segment patterns registered in advance in each switching hub are selected by time or on a switching hub basis to form a segment pattern constituting a micro segment.
A turn control unit is provided .

[0020] The invention of claim 8 is the invention of claim 1, comprising: a high-speed port, each switching hub is connected to the server or the backbone, and a low-speed ports other devices are connected, the address management The high-speed port
Input packets to low-speed ports from the network
Address based on the address table.
And the received packet segment journalizing section
Wherein the RFID means Specification force packets for each micro-segment.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a link path is set between a plurality of interconnected switching hubs, and a plurality of micro segments are connected to the plurality of switching hubs as members of the link path. A link path control unit for multiplexing between hubs is provided . According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect of the invention, a link ID for specifying a link path and a segment ID for specifying a micro segment to which each port belongs are registered in a link management table of each switching hub. A segment ID is added to a packet between them, and a plurality of micro segments are multiplexed between a plurality of switching hubs as members of a link path.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect, a plurality of link paths are set to each switching hub, each switching hub is connected in a daisy chain, and a plurality of micro segments are connected to a plurality of switching segments. -It is characterized by multiplexing between hubs. According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a plurality of virtual LANs are formed by a plurality of switching hubs, and a single or a plurality of micro segments are multiplexed among the plurality of switching hubs as members of the virtual LAN. The present invention is characterized in that a VLAN control unit is provided .

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect of the present invention, a VLAN-specifying a plurality of virtual LANs is provided.
ID is set, and the VLAN-ID and the segment ID for specifying the micro segment to which each port belongs are set to VLA.
N is registered in an N management table, a segment ID is added to a packet between switching hubs, and a single or a plurality of micro segments are multiplexed between a plurality of switching hubs as members of a virtual LAN.

According to a fourteenth aspect, in the thirteenth aspect, the VLAN-ID of each virtual LAN is set from a frame switch or a network management device connected to the switching hub.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a switching hub in the present embodiment. Plurality (4 in this embodiment)
The port P ₁ to P ₄ of One) are respectively connected to various devices (computers or LAN connection device, etc.) with LA
N are configured. The access method of this LAN is CSMA
/ CD system, and the transmission path specification is 10BASE-T
Alternatively, it is 100BASE-TX or the like.

The receiving units 18 ₁ to 18 of the ports P _{1 to} P _4
The received signal received at ₄ passes through the data input control unit 9, the clock component is removed by the transmission path decoding unit 11, the data component is extracted, and is sent to the filter control unit 10 as input data of the received packet. The filter control unit 10 controls the presence or absence of broadcast or multicast filtering, and determines whether or not to transfer to another micro segment when the destination address of the input data is broadcast or multicast. Then, the input data filtered by the filter control unit 10 is temporarily stored in the buffer 2. The address of the storage location in the buffer 2 is specified by the buffer control unit 2a. And buffer 2
Are encoded by the transmission line encoding unit 3 and transmitted to the data output control unit 7, and further transferred from the data output control unit 7 to the ports P ₁ ... Designated by the switch control unit 4.

On the other hand, the segment management section 1 is shown in FIG.
Segment management table Tb ₁Each port
P₁~ P_FourIs in any of the micro segments S1 to S14.
Belong to which micro segment S1 to S14
Membership) is set and managed. That is, the switch
In the switching hub, port P₁Device connected to…
Network address (access the network
Assigned to a network interface for
Not refer to the MAC address, IP address, etc.
Then, packets are transmitted and received in units of micro segments S1.
And each port P between a plurality of switching hubs.₁…
Any combination of common microsegments S1 ...
And share them. Each port P₁... is a microseg
Mention of S1 ... and each port P₁… Which
Whether the segment tube belongs to the micro segment S1 ...
The setting and management of the
... share microsegments S1 ...
The switch control unit 4 of the switching hub switches the packet to each
Port P belonging to micro segment S1 ...₁Broadcast to…
Each port P as the destination address of the packet.₁…
Is not specified.

Therefore, the switching hub itself is also a member of the microsegments S1.
The switching hub at the level of ₁ to P _4, do not take place specifying that any switching hub ports P ₁ ..., of any to any port P ₁ ... Switching
It doesn't matter if there is a hub. That is, what is necessary is to determine which micro segment S1... For each switching hub.
, Which port P ₁ ... Is set as a member of each micro segment S1.

As a logical upper-level processing process of a plurality of switching hubs, a plurality of micro segments S1.
Are managed by the segment management unit 1 as being common among the switching hubs, and the switch control unit 4 forms micro segments S1. As a physical layout, a wiring topology in which the micro segments S1... Are set in an arbitrary combination for each of the distributed switching hubs is configured. The function of this higher-level processing process is cooperatively performed by a plurality of switching hubs by the segment management unit 1 and the switch control unit 4 of each switching hub. In this way, packets are transmitted and received between the ports P ₁ ... Of the switching hubs registered as members of the micro-segments S ₁ .

In order to share the micro-segments S1... Among a plurality of switching hubs, the segment management units 1 of the switching hubs share a common micro-segment S1 by a segment management protocol which is a kind of higher-level processing process. It is necessary to exchange the attribute information of ... In communication between the switching hubs, the ID information of the segment must be exchanged together with each packet in some form.

Further, in a switching hub,
Each micro segment S1 ... and port P₁… With
Rather than fixing the settings, you can change them,
Port P for each switching hub₁… Different every time
Micro segments S1 ... can be allocated
You. Due to such a change of the micro segment S1 ...
The segment management table Tb₁Switch system according to
The control unit 4 distributes the packet data. That is, one
Within each of the micro segments S1...
The packet as if it were a virtual repeater.
Bar port P ₁… Will be broadcast to As described later,
Output port P ₁… Can be sent
Is transmitted from the collision signal control unit 6
Data output control section 7
Port P of output destination from unit 7₁The packet is sent to.

As shown in the segment management table Tb ₁ of FIG. 2, one port P ₁ can be multiplexed as a member of a plurality of micro segments S 1. Then, the switch control unit 4 refers to the segment management table Tb ₁ and broadcasts to all the micro segments S ₁ to which the ports P ₁ to which the input data has been input belong. For example, (a member of the micro-segment S3) 2 pieces of input data to the port P ₁ set in the members of the micro-segment S3, S8, all other ports P ₂ belonging to the same micro-segment S3, S8, P ₃ (The member of the micro segment S8). Such an operation of the switch control unit 4 is realized by a general microprocessor. However, the operation of the switch control unit 4 is performed by a programmable logic based on a truth table which refers to a segment management table stored in a rewritable memory.
It is also possible by sequence control by a controller.

Further, the segment management table Tb₁so
Sets the priority as the attribute of each segment S1 to S14
The switch control unit 4 according to the priority.
Control operations according to the priority processing schedule.
A priority processing control unit 8 is provided. For example, port P₁
In a program that sequentially delivers in the order of ..., the same port P ₁
Multiple packets output from… are high priority packets
, And in the order of the micro segments S1.
In the program to be distributed, use micro-segment
Are processed in order from the clients S1. However, the lower priority
The waiting time of the data of the micro segments S1.
Priority is artificially increased with a handy gap
It is processed.

As described above, the priority is assigned to each micro-segment S1 by the segment management section 1, and the priority processing control section 8 controls the switch control section 4 to provide each switching hub between the micro-segments S1. Although common priority processing is performed, optional additional services can be set according to the priority. Priority processing control unit 8 includes microsegments S1...
₁ ..., priority, have priority processing lookup table of additional services, the routing additional service by adding the service processing task, the address, the switching hub, and the port P ₁ ... supplementary service look-up table, for example, traffic volume the port P ₁ ... there is a need to shorten the is a lot or delay time to register as a member of the high priority micro segment S2 ...,
Only for the packets of the microsegments S2... Having the higher priority, routing is performed based on the network address instead of broadcasting to the microsegments S3.

That is, in the segment management table Tb ₁ shown in FIG. 2, since the micro segment S 10 is set as an additional service for routing, only the micro segment S 10 is connected to a device such as a specific terminal by referring to the routing table. Port P ₁
The direct communication is performed with priority. As a result, it is not multicast to unrelated ports P ₁ . In this case, a virtual address learning unit, an address learning table (routing table), and a forwarding unit common to each switching hub are required. However, since the address is referred to only in the micro segment S10 having a high priority, this address is used. The targets are limited to the switching hubs and the ports P ₁ belonging to the micro-segment S10, the amount of calculation required for address learning, collation, and routing is reduced, and the cost of the switching hubs can be reduced and the performance can be improved. Also, it is possible to connect only the high-priority micro segments to the VLAN and set the others as local segments.

By the way, when a signal indicating that the output destination ports P ₁ can transmit is input from the collision signal control unit 6 to the data output control unit 7, the data output control unit 7 transmits the signal to the switch control unit. The packet data is sent to the ports P ₁ . Thus, each port P _1-
Port transmission reception possibility control for controlling whether to transmit / receive every P ₄ is the collision detection control unit 51 _to the respective ports P ₁ to P ₄
5 ₄ , which is performed by the collision signal control unit 6, the data input control unit 9, and the data output control unit 7 to avoid data collision and congestion in the micro segments S1...

[0037] Here, the collision detection controller 5 ₁ to 5 ₄ outputs a carrier signal or jam signal when unreceivable,
It is to be silent (silence) when reception is possible. Further, the collision signal control unit 6, when the carrier signal or jam signal from the collision detection controller 5 ₁ to 5 ₄ are not output, to enable the data output from the data output control unit 7 to the port P ₁ ... Is what you do. Therefore, when the collision detection control section 5 ₁ of each port P ₁ detects a carrier from a received signal, the port P ₁ does not transmit a packet, and the collision detection control section 5 transmits a packet. When a collision with another carrier is detected during this time, a jam signal is transmitted. Each of the ports P _{1 to} P ₄ has a retiming clock extractor 19 ₁ to ₁ that extracts a clock from a received signal.
9 ₄ Yes in that provided conforms to standards required for interconnecting like taking the retiming clock at the time of transmission.

As in this embodiment, the access method is C
When the SMA / CD system is adopted, the collision signal control unit 6 sends a transmission enable signal to the data output control unit 7 and sends a reception enable signal to the data input control unit 9 using this medium access control function. , And simultaneously each port P ₁ -P ₄
Inputs and outputs ports status signal from the collision detection controller 5 ₁ to 5 ₄ of the said port transmission reception possibility control is realized by adjusting the output timing of the signal from each port P ₁ to P ₄ . For example, the port in order to wait for data input in the data input from the other port P ₂ to P ₄ from P _1, data input from the port P ₂ to P ₄ port P ₁ other than the other during data entry And disable other ports P
Control is performed so that data (packets) are not transmitted from devices connected to ports P _{2 to} P ₄ by transmitting carrier signals from _{2 to} P ₄ . Further, in order to wait for the data output during the data output from the port P ₁ from other micro-segment to the port P _1, it stops the transmission without sending the transmission permission signal to the data output control unit 7. These control logics control the multicast for each micro segment,
This is performed by executing based on a truth table of a combination with the state of each unit such as presence / absence of collision, presence / absence of transmission state, presence / absence of reception state of each of the ports P _{1 to} P ₄ .

In the present embodiment, the network control agent 12 has a segment control API (Ap) so that a micro segment can be dynamically set and changed from application software or the like in units of micro segments common to each switching hub.
A replication programming interface section 13 is provided. That is, through the segment control API unit 13,
Using external network management software or application software of a network OS such as a server, each port P ₁ according to a demand from a user.
.. Can be assigned to micro segments with high priority. Alternatively, a server can be dynamically added to the microsegment as an additional service only for the microsegment with a high priority. Furthermore, routing between micro segments of the port segment switch of the present invention can be performed as an application of an external router via the segment control API unit 13.

The switching hub of the present embodiment is
As shown in FIG. 1, an expansion port (high-speed port) P ′ serving as a big pipe for server connection and backbone connection is provided. On the other hand, a high-speed expansion port P '
A speed conversion control unit 15 is provided to synchronize transmission speeds with other ports P _{1 to} P ₄ (low-speed ports). Speed conversion control unit 15, as a conversation temporarily storing the data in buffer 2 in the buffer control section 2a, with less transmission waiting time of the low-speed ports P ₁ to P _4, to avoid overflow of the reception Control the timing.

As for the input / output packets of the high-speed expansion port P ', only the packets belonging to the micro segment set in the switching hub are put in and out of the expansion port P', and the network address is stored in the address management unit 14. And learning registration together with the micro-segment information in the address table. On the other hand, the input packet from the high-speed expansion port P ′ to the low-speed ports P _{1 to} P ₄ identifies the micro-segment from the network address based on the address table of the address management unit 14 and receives the packet from the speed conversion control unit 15. In the packet segment journalizing unit 16,
Each packet is classified according to the microsegment to which the destination address belongs. In this case, the micro-segment information is closed in the switching hub and is not propagated out of the expansion port P ′, but extra packets that do not conform to the standard are not transmitted to and output from the expansion port P ′. Since there is no header, interconnection with standard high-speed LAN devices is possible. As shown in FIG. 2, the segment management table Tb _1, expansion port access switching hub as a segment attribute is set, expanded micro-segment that port access is set (e.g., micro-segment S2, S3, ... The received packet of (1) is journalized by the above-mentioned received packet segment journalizing unit 16, and the other micro segments to which the extended port access is not set are local micro segments in the switching hub.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a switching hub according to this embodiment. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of Embodiment 1, common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The description will be omitted, and only the features that characterize the present embodiment will be described. The switching hub according to the present embodiment includes an inter-bus bridge controller 2 via a transmission path encoder 3 at a stage subsequent to the filter controller 10.
0, and a plurality of segment shared buses 21 are connected,
It is characterized in that communication processing is performed in units of micro segments by storing combination of input packets in a buffer and performing combinational logic and sequence control based on a truth table by software of a microprocessor or a programmable logic controller.

That is, since the same data is sent to each port P _{1 in} the broadcast in the micro segment, the output of the same micro segment can be simultaneously output from a plurality of ports P ₁ by hardware through the segment shared bus 21. it can. This is because the collision signal control unit 6, the data output control unit 7, and the data input control unit 9 are connected to the switch control unit 4
, And by controlling data input from each of the ports P _1, ...

In addition, since the number of terminals and the traffic in the micro-segment is a standard for designing a normal network, almost no collision occurs, it is also practical to mount with a standard repeater chip. These days, A
It is becoming possible to design a composite function in which a repeater module is combined with an SIC (application specific IC) library, and it is also possible to configure the segment shared bus 21 inside the IC. Note that the inter-bus bridge control unit 20 has a function of simultaneously distributing a packet to the plurality of segment shared buses 21 and the expansion ports P ′ when broadcasting or multicasting is performed between micro segments.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a switching hub according to this embodiment. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of Embodiment 1, common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The description will be omitted, and only the features that characterize the present embodiment will be described. The switching hub according to the present embodiment is characterized in that a plurality of processes through which data passes are performed so that processing for each micro segment is performed in parallel. Specifically, each of the ports P _{1 to} P ₄ Input segment selectors 2 before
2. An output segment selector 23 and a collision signal segment selector 24 are provided. The plurality of input segment selectors 22, output segment selectors 23, and collision signal segment selectors 24 have a bus configuration.
Are selectively connected by a selector device or the like.

In this embodiment, data can be input and output simultaneously from ports P ₁ belonging to different micro segments by a combination of the storage and switching function in the buffer 2 and the input segment selector 22 and the output segment selector 23. Becomes (Embodiment 4) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a switching hub according to the present embodiment, in which the configuration of the switching hub according to the third embodiment is combined with the configuration of the switching hub according to the second embodiment.

That is, the switching hub of the present embodiment is different from the switching hub of the second embodiment in that the number of processes through which data passes is plural, and the processing of each micro segment is performed in parallel. It is. Therefore, as in the third embodiment, the port P ₁ belonging to a different micro-segment is determined by the combination of the input segment selector 22 and the output segment selector 23 in addition to the simultaneous transmission of the broadcast on the segment shared bus 21. .. Can simultaneously input and output data.

(Embodiment 5) In Embodiments 1 to 4 described above, the setting and change of the micro segments S1 are performed using an external application program or the like. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, each switching hub has a plurality of segment patterns (each port P _{1 to} P ₄ is previously assigned to any micro segment S1).
.. Are set, and a segment pattern control unit 25 in which SP ₁ . Each switching
Segment pattern SP of micro segment for each hub
₁ ... can be selected.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing the system configuration in this embodiment. The upper processing process PS above each switching hub H ₁ ... Is actually each switching hub H _1. ... have in common. Thus, the segment pattern control unit 25 in which a plurality of segment patterns SP ₁ .
If the segment pattern SP ₁ of the micro segment can be selected for each switching hub for each hub, a plurality of segments for meeting rooms, offices, design departments, etc., which match the layout of the installation location in advance. The combination pattern (segment pattern) is prepared, and can be selected and set in accordance with the use in units of switching hubs, and there is an advantage that construction and management can be performed quickly and reliably. (Embodiment 6) FIG. 7 shows a system configuration of this embodiment in which a master switching hub MH and a slave switching hub SH are interconnected by a high-speed expansion port P '. The extension port P 'is set as a link path, and a packet of a micro segment registered as a common segment attribute between the master switching hub MH and the slave switching hub SH is multiplexed and transmitted. However, the basic configuration of the master switching hub MH is the same as that of the third embodiment,
Since the basic configuration of the switching hub SH is the same as that of the first embodiment, the common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Further, as the master switching hub MH and the slave switching hub SH, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, those having the same basic configuration as the other embodiments may be used.

In the master switching hub MH and the slave switching hub SH of this embodiment, the correspondence between the link of the packet passing through the link path and the micro segment is registered in the link table of the link path management unit 26. Based on the link path table, the link path control unit 27 performs multiplexing / decomposition of micro segments and journalizing. The link indicates the path of the micro-segment realized by various multiplexing methods. Since the micro-segment is common to each switching hub MH and SH, the packet passing through the link path is extended to store the micro-segment information. By adding a plurality of micro segments as members of a link path to a plurality of switching hubs M
H and SH can be multiplexed and transmitted. Therefore, each port P ₁ between the switching hubs MH and SH
... by setting a common micro segment for each unit,
Switching hubs MH and SH can be interconnected by packet multiplexing.

Since the link information passes through the link path, it is propagated from the extension port. Here, when frequency modulation is performed in broadband as a multiplexing method, the band of each carrier frequency becomes a link ID, and the micro segment ID
Corresponding to In the case of time-division multiplexing, each time slot becomes a link ID, and corresponds to the ID of the micro segment.

On the other hand, in order to associate a plurality of physically different links, such as frequency multiplexing, with the micro segments, the correspondence between the links and the micro segments is registered in a link table, and the link path control unit 27 controls the micro segment. It is also possible to perform multiplexing / decomposition and journal entry. When there are extended ports P ′ for a plurality of link paths, the link path management unit 26 manages a table for each link path indicating which extended port P ′...

By the way, the switching hubs MH and SH may be interconnected by another switching hub via the expansion port P '. In this case as well, the extension port is set as a link path. In particular, each switching hub MH,
In order to relay between SHs, a link ID for each link path set as a tag of a type that can be used in the above different LAN devices, and each switching hub MH, SH
Are registered in the link table of the link path management unit 26. Thereby, the extension port P ′
, A plurality of microsegments are multiplexed and transmitted between a plurality of switching hubs MH and SH as members of a link path, and a common microsegment is used for each port P ₁ . Can be set.

As the tag, for example, a VLAN tag using an IEEE 802.1Q header as shown in FIG. 9 can be used. Then, such a tag is used as a link ID for each link path, and a segment ID common to each switching hub MH and SH and a corresponding link ID are registered in the link table of the link path management unit 26. A link ID is added to a packet passing through the expansion port P ′, and a plurality of micro segments are added to the plurality of switching hubs M as members of the link path.
By multiplexing and transmitting between H and SH, a plurality of switching hubs MH and SH can relay a common micro-segment for each port in different LAN devices to extend the segment range. In addition, each switching hub MH, SH is the same switching hub.
If relaying between links, link ID and segment ID
Can be exactly the same and the link table can be omitted.

Also, the slave switching hub SH
Has a link port LP that can connect another slave switching hub to the daisy chain by a link path. If the link ports LP are provided and a large number of slave switching hubs SH can be connected in a daisy chain, the number of ports of the micro segment common to the switching hubs MH, SH... Can be increased.

Incidentally, the master switching hub MH is connected to the VLAN backbone by the extension port P ', and is connected to another LAN device (such as a VLAN switch) having a virtual LAN function through the VLAN backbone. LAN devices connected to the VLAN backbone include a VLAN management function and VL
It supports routing functionality between ANs, and routing between all microsegments is supported via the VLAN backbone. The master switching hub MH also has an expansion port P "for connecting to a VLAN server. If a server for managing / supporting a VLAN is connected to the expansion port P", the VLAN is connected to the master switching hub MH. It is also possible to support functions.

Further, the master switching hub M
H is a VLAN management unit 2 having a VLAN management table.
8 and a VLAN control unit 29, and a plurality of VLAN-IDs common to LAN devices such as the VLAN switch are
The VLAN ID is set in the VLAN management table of the VLAN management unit 28 together with the segment ID corresponding to the VLAN. VLAN
The control unit 29 multiplexes a single or a plurality of micro segments as a member of the VLAN by a method such as broadband, time division, or transmitting a VLAN-ID on a control line different from packet data, and transmits the multiplexed data among a plurality of switching hubs. And converts the received VLAN multiplexed data to VLA
The data is disassembled by the N control unit 29 and journalized into each micro segment with reference to the VLAN management table. Thereby, VL
A common micro segment can be set for each port among a plurality of switching hubs via an AN switch, and a VLA connected to a VLAN switch can be set.
N member devices and a plurality of micro-segment devices including the master switching hub MH and the slave switching hub SH are set as one micro-segment for each port P ₁ ... And communicate with each other. Can be. When frequency modulation is performed in broadband as a multiplexing method, the band of each carrier frequency is a VLAN-ID, which corresponds to an ID of a micro segment. When time-division multiplexing is performed, each time slot is a VLAN-ID, which corresponds to the ID of a micro segment. In addition, regarding the setting change of the VLAN connection, the master switching / switching is performed through a conversation with a network management manager (not shown).
Network management agent 12 provided in hub MH
The VLAN management unit 28 can change the correspondence between the micro segment and the VLAN group by transmitting and receiving the VLAN setting signal.

The slave switching hub SH has a segment pattern control unit 25 for setting / selecting a segment pattern in advance, and this segment pattern control unit 25 is connected to the segment management unit 1. Thus, the segment pattern control unit 25
A segment management table and a pattern name corresponding to each pattern are registered in the segment pattern table, and the segment management table of the designated segment pattern is copied to the segment management unit 1 to determine which segment each port belongs to. This is set in the segment management unit 1.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the system configuration of this embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the MAC of a general LAN.
This shows the frame format. Master switching hub MH is VLAN to backbone BB
The master switching hub MH and the slave switching hubs SH _{1 to} SH are connected by a path.
H ₃ is connected by a link path. Thus, through the master switching hub MH, each port P _{1 of the} plurality of slave switching hubs SH _{1 to} SH ₃
... and, it is possible in which a plurality of VLANV ₁ ~V ₆ of backbone BB is a member of the common micro-segment.

When the VLAN switch is a parent switch, the VLAN ID of the VLAN switch is made common to the segment ID of the master switching hub MH, and the VLAN management table of the VLAN management unit 28 can be omitted. . Since all packets are broadcast in the micro segment, such a broadcast function is used in VL.
VLA of VLAN switch to use in AN groove
It is necessary to set the definition of N in the multicast group (broadcast group). Thus, on the VLAN switch side, the VLAN group is defined by the address, and the broadcast and multicast are confined within the VLAN group. When a unicast is transmitted only to the destination address, it is broadcast in the micro segment and VLA is transmitted.
In the N group, the address of the device connected to each port of the VLAN switch is learned in the address table and switched.

There are also the following methods for multiplexing micro segments as members of a VLAN. That is, the VLAN management unit 28 sets a plurality of VLAN-IDs common to the above-described VLAN switch together with the segment IDs corresponding to the VLANs in the VLAN table as a micro-segment lookup table. The VLAN control unit 29 transmits a VLAN multiplexed packet by adding a VLAN-ID as a tag to one or a plurality of micro segments as a member of the VLAN. The VLAN control unit 29 receives the received VLA.
The VLAN-ID tag of the N-multiplexed data (packet) is collated with the VLAN table and journalized into each micro segment. As a result, a common micro segment can be set for each port between a plurality of switching hubs via a VLAN switch, and the VL
The device of the member of the VLAN connected to the AN switch and the device of the micro segment can communicate with each other as one segment.

In this embodiment, the VLAN-ID corresponding to the micro segment can be set from an external network management device (not shown). In other words, the network management device is
The above setting can be performed on the VLAN management table of the VLAN management unit 28 through the network management agent 12 of the switching hub MH. In this way, the LAN device (VLAN switch or the like) or the network management device having the VLAN function connected to the backbone BB or the network management device and the VLAN management agent 12 of the master switching hub MH have a VLA while talking.
By making the above-described settings in the N management unit 28, it is possible to integrally manage the micro segments from a LAN device (VLAN switch or the like) having a VLAN function or a network management device. If this segment ID is set to the same code as the VLAN-ID, the VLAN management table of the VLAN management unit 28 can be omitted, and a common micro-segment for each port between a LAN device having a VLAN function and a plurality of switching hubs is replaced by a VLAN. It can be expanded as a multicast group, and an economical system can be configured according to the concentration of traffic and the degree of network use.

The VLAN management unit 28 collectively registers the destination of the network address, the address of the transmission source, the VLAN-ID and the segment ID in the VLAN management table, so that the VLAN-ID can be added to the packet without attaching the VLAN-ID tag to the packet. In the case of multiplexing and transmitting micro segments mapped to each VLAN in the same manner as multiplexing, a standard LA of another vendor such as a WAN is added to the backbone BB.
N devices or routers may be interposed. In this case, VLAN
-By sharing the ID and the micro-segment ID, the destination, source address and segment ID are registered in the VLAN management table, and the VL can be registered without tagging.
AN multiplexing and transmission between multiple switching hubs,
The received VLAN multiplexed data is transmitted to the VLAN controller 29.
Can be journalized from the received data into each micro segment.

As described above, if one port P ₁ is multiplexed and set as a member of a plurality of microsegments S 1, the traffic from the terminal to the server is small, and conversely, the traffic from the server to the terminal is large. By setting the server connection port to one micro-segment member and setting the terminal to multiple micro-segment members, the router or OS
Without going through the third layer switch of the protocol layer of I,
Segmentation that matches the traffic pattern is enabled at the level of ports P ₁ . Therefore, the interconnection with the VLAN, which enables the traffic segmentation with a relatively simple circuit configuration and practical performance, enables the V
LAN management and routing between segments can be entrusted to the backbone LAN equipment of a vendor that has spread as a high-end de facto standard.
Switching type master switching hub MH
In addition, by using the slave switching hub SH, traffic can be finely segmented to the terminal of the desktop. As a result, it is possible to flexibly change the micro segments of the ports P ₁ ... By remote control without replacing the cross patch or the modular connector in the wiring closet. A configurable electronic cross-patch function can be realized.

[0065]

According to the present invention, as described above, the switching
Which microsegment each hub port belongs to
That manages settings using the segment management table
And the received packet is transferred to each micro segment.
And a switch control unit for transferring to a port belonging to
Each switching hub has its own
One or more ports with any combination of ports
Common micro-segment between switching hubs
Set and send / receive packets for each microsegment to which each switching hub port belongs.
Since cormorants, between ports that are registered as members of the micro-segment, though because transmission and reception of the packet as a virtual repeater shared medium is performed, even while the plurality of switching hubs in a remote location, the port Independent micro-segments can be shared for each unit, and each micro-segment can be set for each port, so that an efficient network can be easily constructed without depending on the type of terminal, network address, etc. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a switching hub according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a segment management table in the above.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a switching hub according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a switching hub according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a switching hub according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a system configuration according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a system configuration according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the above.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a MAC frame format of a general LAN.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another system configuration of the above.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing still another system configuration of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Segment management part 2 Buffer 3 Transmission line coding part 4 Switch control part 5 Collision detection control part 6 Collision signal control part 7 Data output control part 8 Priority processing control part 9 Data input control part 10 Filter control part 11 Transmission path decoding Unit 12 network management agent 13 segment control API unit 14 address management unit 15 speed conversion control unit 16 received packet segment journalizing unit 17 transmission unit 18 reception unit 19 retiming clock extraction unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Junko Nakano 1048 Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. Inventor Toshitaka Fujii 1048 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Pref. (72) Inventor Akira Yasuda 1048 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Pref. Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd. (56) , A) (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 12/44

Claims (14)

(57) [Claims] (1) Each port of a switching hub is
Segment management table for belonging to micro segment
Segment management unit that manages settings by
Packet to a port belonging to each micro segment.
And a plurality of switching controllers.
And each switching hub has its own port.
Any combination between one or more switching hubs
In common sets a micro-segment, the port segment switching method, wherein the transmission and reception of packet rows that TURMERIC in micro-segment units port of each switching hub belongs. 2. The segment management table can set multiple micro segments so that an arbitrary port of the switching hub belongs to a plurality of micro segments, and the switch control unit can control a packet input to one port. Is transferred to all microsegments to which this port belongs.
Segment switching method. 3. The segment management table is a microsegment.
You can set the priority of the
Te performing priority processing among a plurality of micro-segment priority
2. The port segment switching method according to claim 1 , further comprising a processing control unit . 4. The port segment switching method according to claim 1, wherein an arbitrary switching hub controls transmission and reception of a packet for each port. 5. The port segment switching method according to claim 1 , further comprising a filter control unit for setting whether to perform broadcast and multicast filtering on a micro segment basis. 6. The port segment switching method according to claim 1 , further comprising a segment control API unit for dynamically changing the setting of the micro segment from application software or the like for each port. 7. A segment pattern control unit for forming a micro segment by selecting a plurality of segment patterns registered in advance in each switching hub by time or on a switching hub basis. The described port segment switching method. 8. Each switching hub has a high-speed port connected to a server or a backbone, and a low-speed port to which other devices are connected .
Input packets from high-speed ports to low-speed ports are
Address segment from work address
Based on the received packet segment
The port segment switching method of claim 1, wherein the RFID means Specification the input packet for each micro-segment. 9. A link path control unit for setting a link path between a plurality of interconnected switching hubs and multiplexing a plurality of micro segments among the plurality of switching hubs as members of the link path. 2. The port segment switching method according to claim 1, wherein: 10. A link ID for specifying a link path and a segment ID for specifying a micro segment to which each port belongs are registered in a link management table of each switching hub, and a segment ID is added to a packet between the switching hubs. 10. The port segment switching method according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of micro segments are multiplexed between a plurality of switching hubs as members of a link path. 11. A plurality of link paths are set for each switching hub, each switching hub is connected in a daisy chain, and a plurality of micro segments are multiplexed between the plurality of switching hubs. The port segment switching method according to claim 9. 12. VLAN control for configuring a plurality of virtual LANs with a plurality of switching hubs and multiplexing a single or a plurality of micro segments among the plurality of switching hubs as members of the virtual LANs.
2. The port segment switching method according to claim 1 , further comprising a unit . 13. V for specifying a plurality of virtual LANs
LAN-ID is set, and this VLAN-ID and a segment ID for specifying a micro segment to which each port belongs
Is registered in a VLAN management table, a segment ID is added to a packet between switching hubs, and a single or a plurality of micro segments are multiplexed between a plurality of switching hubs as members of a virtual LAN. The port segment according to claim 12,
Switching method. 14. The VLAN-ID of each virtual LAN
14. The port segment switching method according to claim 13, wherein is set from a frame switch or a network management device connected to the switching hub.