JP5605496B2 - Communication apparatus and address management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus and an address management method for managing a plurality of IP (Internet Protocol) addresses that can be used for communication in a network.

  A communication device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a printer connected to the network performs communication on the network using an IP address set in the own device. Some communication devices set and manage a plurality of IP addresses and use these plurality of IP addresses for communication (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In recent years, IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is known as a protocol for enabling use of many IP addresses.

  In IPv6, as a type (setting type) of setting an IP address in a communication device, an IP address (link local address) that is unique in a link (subnet) based on information preset in the communication device. Linkless local address setting to set the IP address, manual setting to set the IP address specified by the user, stateless to set a global IP address by combining a unique ID with a prefix included in the router advertisement (RA) sent by the router There is an address setting and a stateful address setting for setting a global IP address transmitted from a DHCPv6 (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol Version 6) server.

JP 2004-363934 A

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is disclosed that a plurality of IP addresses are used, but it is not disclosed how to manage the IP addresses.

  For example, as an IPv6 IP address management method, for each setting type, a storage area capable of storing a fixed number of IP addresses of the setting type is secured in the storage device in advance, and the IP address is set according to the IP address setting type. The data is stored in a corresponding storage area.

  Here, it is conceivable that the setting type of the IP address used by the communication apparatus and the number of IP addresses for each setting type differ depending on the purpose of use of the communication apparatus and the network to which the communication apparatus is connected. For example, a communication device in which a plurality of IP addresses are manually set and a large number of manually set IP addresses are mainly used, or a communication device in which IP addresses transmitted from a plurality of DHCPv6 servers are mainly used. Can be considered.

  In such a communication apparatus, for example, when a storage area is secured so as to store a fixed number of IP addresses for each setting type, IP addresses of setting types that are not necessary for communication are stored at all. Although the storage area is not used, it has been secured, and there is a problem that the storage efficiency of the memory is poor. In particular, IPv6 has a problem that the size of the storage area to be secured becomes large and the storage efficiency of the memory is very poor because the IP address is considerably longer than IPv4.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of efficiently managing a plurality of IP addresses used in a communication apparatus.

  To achieve the above object, a communication apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is a communication apparatus that manages a plurality of IP addresses that can be used for communication in a network, and includes an IP address set in the communication apparatus, and an IP address. Storage means for storing a predetermined number of pieces of IP address information including address setting type information indicating the setting type, an IP address to be set in the communication device, and a setting type of the IP address IP address setting processing means for storing in the storage area IP address information including address setting type information indicating. According to such a communication apparatus, it is possible to store the type of setting for a plurality of IP addresses in the storage area of the storage unit so as to be specified. For this reason, it is not necessary to prepare a storage area for storing the IP address for each set type in advance, and the storage efficiency of the storage means can be improved.

  Further, in the communication apparatus, the IP address setting processing means can store IP address information in the storage area of the storage means in addition to the storage area required for storing at least one IP address information of each setting type. When there is a free storage area, the setting target IP address information may be stored in the storage area. According to such a communication apparatus, at least one IP address information of each setting type can be stored in the storage area of the storage unit.

  The communication apparatus further includes a settable number storage unit that stores the maximum settable number of IP address information for at least one setting type, and the IP address setting processing unit stores the setting target in the storage area of the storage unit. The number of IP address information that is the same as the IP address setting type does not reach the maximum settable number of the setting type IP address information, and there is an available free storage area in the storage area of the storage means. The IP address information to be set may be stored in the storage area of the storage means. According to the communication apparatus, the IP address information can be set when there is an available free area within the range of the maximum settable number.

  In the communication apparatus, the IP address setting type includes a link local address setting that sets a link local address that is an IP address unique to a link based on information set in advance in the communication apparatus, and an IP specified by a user. It includes a manual setting for setting an address, a stateless address setting for setting an IP address based on information transmitted from a router, and a stateful address setting for setting an IP address assigned from a DHCP server. The setting processing means supports address setting type information indicating that the setting type is any of link local address setting, manual setting, stateless address setting, and stateful address setting for the IP address to be set. Attached to the storage area. It may be allowed to. According to such a communication apparatus, it is possible to appropriately grasp whether the IP address is based on any of the setting types of link local address setting, manual setting, stateless address setting, and stateful address setting.

  In the communication apparatus, the IP address setting processing means stores the IP address by link local address setting after the communication apparatus is activated, stores the IP address by manual setting, and then by stateless address setting or stateful address setting. The IP address may be stored. According to such a communication apparatus, it is possible to preferentially store the IP address by the link local address setting and the IP address by the manual setting.

  Further, in the communication apparatus, the IP address setting processing means may register the IP address information by the stateless address setting or the stateful address setting in order from the one that can be set first. According to such a communication apparatus, the IP address information for stateless address setting or stateful address setting that can be set can be preferentially registered.

  In the communication apparatus, the IP address may be an IPv6 IP address. In such a communication apparatus, an IPv6 IP address having a large amount of data can be appropriately stored, and an unused area generated in the storage area can be reduced more effectively.

  In order to achieve the above object, an address management method according to a second aspect of the present invention is an address management method in a communication device that manages a plurality of IP addresses that can be used for communication in a network, and is stored in the communication device. The means has a storage area capable of storing a predetermined number of IP address information including an IP address set in the communication device and address setting type information indicating a setting type of the IP address, and the IP address of the communication device is secured. The setting processing means includes an IP address setting processing step for storing IP address information including an IP address to be set in the communication device and address setting type information indicating a setting type of the IP address in a storage area of the storage means. . According to such an address management method, it is possible to store the setting types for a plurality of IP addresses in a storage area of the storage means so as to be specified. For this reason, it is not necessary to prepare a fixed storage area for storing IP address information for each set type in advance, and the storage efficiency of the storage means can be improved.

It is a block diagram of an example of the network system containing the communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the IP address setting information table which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the IP address setting range table which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the IP address setting process which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all the elements and combinations described in the embodiments are essential for the solution of the invention. Is not limited.

  First, a network system to which a printer as an example of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network system to which communication apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected.

  The network system 1 includes a printer 2, one or more DHCPv6 (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol Version 6) servers 3, and one or more routers 4. Some network systems do not include the DHCPv6 server 3 or the router 4. The printer 2, the DHCPv6 server 3, and the router 4 are connected via a network 5. In this embodiment, the network 5 communicates according to IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6). That is, in this network 5, communication is performed using an IPv6 IP address. The network 5 may include a wired line or a wireless line.

  The DHCPv6 server 3 assigns necessary information (for example, IP address) to be set to the printer 2 to the printer 2. The router 4 performs routing from the network 5 to another network. The router 4 periodically transmits RA (Router advertisement) including a network prefix (for example, 64 bits) to a network to which the router 4 is connected (such as the network 5).

  Here, as the setting type of the IP address to the printer 2, manual setting (FIG. 2 (1)) for setting the IP address directly inputted to the printer 2 by the user, and an ID ( For example, a link local address setting (FIG. 2 (2)) for setting a link local address that is a unique IP address in the network 5 (subnet) based on a MAC (Media Access Control Address) address) and the DHCPv6 server 3 Stateful address setting for setting the IP address to be transmitted ((3) in FIG. 2), prefix in RA transmitted from the router 4, and information stored in the printer 2 (for example, lower bits of link local address) (64 bits)) is used to set the IP address There is a memory address setting (FIG. 2 (4)).

  FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of a printer as an example of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The printer 2 includes a display unit 21, an input unit 22, a communication unit 23, a print function unit 24, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 25, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 26 as an example of a storage unit, and a setting. An EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) 27 as an example of the possible number storage means and a control unit 28 are provided.

  The display unit 21 has, for example, a liquid crystal screen and displays various information. The input unit 22 includes, for example, a key unit, a touch panel unit, and the like, and accepts inputs such as various instructions from the user. The input unit 22 receives, for example, designation of an IP address (manual IP address) set for the printer 2. The communication unit 23 performs data transmission / reception processing with other devices via the network 5. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 23 performs communication using one of the IP addresses set as its own IP address. The communication unit 23 stores the MAC address assigned to itself. The print function unit 24 forms (prints) an image on an image forming medium such as paper or an OHP sheet.

  The ROM 25 stores a boot program, various processing programs described later, and the like. The RAM 26 is used as an area for storing programs and data, or as a work area for storing data used for processing by the control unit 28. In the present embodiment, the RAM 26 stores an IP address setting information table 26a (see FIG. 3) that can store a plurality of IP address information that is a set of the IP address set in the printer 2 and its setting type.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an IP address setting information table according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The IP address setting information table 26a can store a plurality (for example, 10) of sets (IP address information) of an IP address and a setting type (address setting type) of the IP address. For example, the uppermost IP address information indicates that the IP address is “FE80 :: 1234” and the address setting type is link local address setting, and the lowermost area indicates the IP address information. Indicates an unallocated state in which is not stored. With this IP address setting information table 26a, a plurality of setting types of IP addresses can be managed in the same table.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the EEPROM 27 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and stores various information that needs to be stored even when the printer 2 is not turned on. In the present embodiment, the EEPROM 27 stores an IP address (manual IP address) designated by the user. The EEPROM 27 stores a link local address or information for generating a link local address. In addition, the EEPROM 27 stores an IP address settable range table 27a (see FIG. 4) that defines a range (settable range) of the number of IP address information that can be stored for each setting type in the IP address setting information table 26a.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an IP address setting range table according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The IP address settable range table 27a stores an address setting type and the number of ranges that can be set in the IP address setting information table 26a of the IP address information corresponding to the set type in association with each other.

  For example, for stateless address setting, 1 to 5 pieces of IP address information can be set in the IP address setting information table 26a. In the present embodiment, the lower limit of the settable range is the number that can be stored in the IP address setting information table 26a, but the upper limit of the settable range can be set in the IP address setting information table 26a. This is the number that can be set when there is a free area. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the IP address information that can be stored in the IP address setting information table 26a is larger than the total (four) of the minimum number of all setting types, and the upper limit number of all setting types ( 14)).

  In this embodiment, although there is a limit on the number of IP address information that can be set, the storage area in which 10 pieces of IP address information can be registered is dynamically set within the limits. Types of IP address information can be stored. For example, one IP address information for link local address setting, one IP address information for manual setting, three IP address information for stateless address setting, and five IP address information for stateful address setting may be used. The link local address setting IP address information can be two, the manually setting IP address information can be two, the stateless address setting IP address information can be five, and the stateful address setting IP address information can be one. .

  Conventionally, a fixed number of storage areas for IP addresses that may be set for each setting type have been secured. However, in a general method of using IP addresses, there are almost no situations where the number of IP address information that can be set for all setting types is set. With the above-described configuration, the storage area can be allocated and used for storing IP address information of any setting type. As a result, it is possible to suppress a useless storage area that is reserved in an unused state as in the prior art, and to improve memory efficiency.

  The control unit 28 includes a communication control unit 28a, an IP address setting processing unit 28b as an example of an IP address setting processing unit, an input / output processing unit 28c, and a print control unit 28d. The communication control unit 28a, the IP address setting processing unit 28b, the input / output processing unit 28c, and the print control unit 28d execute, for example, a program stored in the ROM 25 or the like by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as an example of the control unit 28. It is constituted by doing.

  The communication control unit 28a causes the communication unit 23 to perform communication via the network 5 using any one of a plurality of IP addresses stored in the IP address setting information table 26a illustrated in FIG. It should be noted that which IP address is used is determined according to a specified setting. Further, the communication control unit 28a extracts a prefix from the RA transmitted from the router 4 via the communication unit 23 and passes it to the IP address setting processing unit 28b. Further, the communication control unit 28a receives the IP address transmitted from the DHCPv6 server 3, and passes it to the IP address setting processing unit 28b.

  The IP address setting processing unit 28 b generates a link local address based on information for generating a link local address stored in the EEPROM 27. For example, the IP address setting processing unit 28b acquires a MAC address from the communication unit 23, and generates a link local address by combining the MAC address and a predetermined prefix. In addition, the IP address setting processing unit 28b performs a setting possibility determination process to be described later for the generated link local address. Address information is stored in the IP address setting information table 26a.

  Further, the IP address setting processing unit 28b receives the IP address (manual IP address) input by the input / output processing unit 28c and stored in the EEPROM 28, performs a setting possibility determination process for the IP address, and as a result, When the setting is possible, the IP address information that is a set of the IP address and the manual setting is stored in the IP address setting information table 26a.

  In addition, when the IP address setting processing unit 28b receives the RA prefix from the communication control unit 28a, the IP address setting processing unit 28b generates an IP address that combines the prefix and the lower bits of the link local address. In addition, the IP address setting processing unit 28b performs a setting possibility determination process to be described later for the generated IP address. As a result, when the setting is possible, the IP address information that is a set of the IP address and the stateless address setting Are stored in the IP address setting information table 26a.

  In addition, when the IP address setting processing unit 28b receives the IP address from the DHCPv6 server 3 from the communication control unit 28a, the IP address setting processing unit 28b performs a setting possibility determination process for the IP address, and as a result, the setting is possible. The IP address information which is a set of the IP address and the stateful address setting is stored in the IP address setting information table 26a.

  The IP address setting processing unit 28b performs a setting possibility determination process for determining whether or not the setting target IP address can be set in the IP address setting information table 26a. Whether or not the set number in the IP address setting information table 26a of the IP address information corresponding to the setting type of the IP address to be set falls within the settable range of the IP address settable range table 27a in the settable determination process. If it is determined that the IP address information does not fall within the settable range, it is determined that the IP address information cannot be set. If the IP address information falls within the settable range, whether or not there is a settable free area. Determine. Here, the settable free area is a free area in which IP address information can be stored even if the minimum IP address information of each setting type is stored in the storage area of the IP address setting information table 26a. means. For example, when there is one free area in the IP address setting information table 26a and there is a setting type that does not use a minimum guaranteed area (1 in this embodiment), the settable free area is , 0.

  When the IP address setting processing unit 28b determines that there is a settable free area, the IP address setting processing unit 28b determines that the setting target IP address information can be set in the IP address setting information table 26a, while the settable free area. When it is determined that there is no IP address information, it is determined that the setting target IP address information cannot be set in the IP address setting information table 26a. As a result, it is possible to reliably ensure that a minimum number of IP address information of each setting type can be stored.

  The IP address setting processing unit 28b receives the IP address setting type to be displayed from the input / output processing unit 28c, takes out the IP address corresponding to this setting type from the IP address setting information table 26a, and passes it to the input / output processing unit 28c. .

  The input / output processing unit 28c receives various inputs from the user from the input unit 22, and passes them to the IP address setting processing unit 28b and the like. In the present embodiment, the input / output processing unit 28c displays an input screen for allowing the user to input a manual IP address on the display unit 21, receives an input of an IP address to be set in the printer 2 from the user, and inputs The obtained IP address is stored in the EEPROM 27. In addition, the input / output processing unit 28c accepts designation of a setting type for displaying an IP address from the user via the input unit 22, passes the setting type to the IP address setting processing unit 28b, and changes the setting type from the IP address setting processing unit 28b to the setting type. The corresponding IP address is received and the IP address is displayed on the display unit 21. Thus, the user can appropriately grasp the IP address for each setting type.

  The print control unit 28d receives print data via the communication unit 23, and controls the print function unit 24 based on the print data to form an image on the image forming medium.

  Next, a processing operation in the communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of IP address setting processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  This IP address setting process is started after the printer 2 is turned on. First, the IP address setting processing unit 28b determines whether or not there is a link local address to be set (step S1). If there is a link local address (step S1: YES), the link local address is set. A possibility determination process is performed to determine whether or not setting is possible (step S2).

  As a result, if it can be set (step S2: YES), a link local address (IP address) is generated based on the information in the EEPROM 27, and this IP address and the link local address which is the setting type of this IP address are generated. The IP address information including the setting is stored in the IP address setting information table 26a (step S3), and the process proceeds to step S1.

  On the other hand, when there is no link local address to be set (step S1: NO), or when the link local address is not settable (step S2: NO), the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, it is determined whether or not there is a setting target IP address (manual IP address) set by the user in the EEPROM 27 (step S4), and if there is a setting target IP address (step S4: YES). The IP address (manual IP address) is subjected to setting possibility determination processing to determine whether or not setting is possible (step S5).

  As a result, when the setting is possible (step S5: YES), the IP address information including this IP address and the manual setting which is the setting type of the IP address is stored in the IP address setting information table 26a (step S5). S6), the process proceeds to step S4.

  On the other hand, when there is no manual IP address to be set (step S4: NO) or when the manual IP address cannot be set (step S5: NO), the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the communication control unit determines whether or not an IP address setting has been accepted, that is, whether or not an RA prefix or an IP address from the DHCPv6 server 3 has been received from the communication control unit 28a (step S7). When the address setting is accepted (step S7: YES), a setting enable determination process is performed for the IP address (stateless address, stateful address) corresponding to the setting to determine whether the setting is possible (step S8). ).

  As a result, if it can be set (step S8: YES), the corresponding IP address (the IP address created using the RA prefix or the IP address from the DHCPv6 server 3) and the setting of this IP address are set. IP address information including stateful address setting (in the case of an IP address from the DHCPv6 server 3) or stateful address setting (in the case of an IP address created based on the RA prefix), which is the type, is stored in the IP address setting information table 26a. Store (step S9) and proceed to step S7.

  On the other hand, when the setting of the IP address is not accepted (step S7: NO), or when the corresponding IP address is not settable (step S8: NO), the process proceeds to step S7.

  By such IP address setting processing, IP address information of each setting type is stored in the IP address setting information table 26a.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be applied to various other modes.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the settable range is set. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, only the maximum settable number can be set and stored in the IP address setting information table. Only the maximum number may be limited, or only the lower limit may be set so that a minimum IP address information area that can be set in the IP address setting information table can be secured. Moreover, although all the setting types are used, the present invention is not limited to this, and a settable range for at least one setting type may be set.

  In the above embodiment, the IP address information for the stateless address setting or the stateful address setting is stored after the IP address information for the link local address setting or the manual setting is stored. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the order of the setting types for storing the IP address information may be an arbitrary order.

  Further, in the above embodiment, an area capable of storing the minimum number of IP address information that should be secured for the set type is secured even if it is unused. For example, when there is an unused area, it is used for storing IP address information, and a setting request for setting type IP address information for which a minimum number to be secured is not generated, In addition, when there is no free space in the storage area, an area storing other IP address information may be released to store the IP address information of the setting request.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printer is described as an example of the communication device. However, the communication device is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a multifunction device including a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and the like. There may be a personal computer, and what is necessary is just a communication apparatus which can communicate using an IP address.

  1 network system, 2 printer, 3 DHCPv6 server, 4 router, 5 network, 21 display unit, 22 input unit, 23 communication unit, 24 print function unit, 25 ROM, 26 RAM, 26a IP address setting information table, 27 EEPROM, 27a IP address settable range table, 28 control unit, 28a communication control unit, 28b IP address setting processing unit, 28c input / output processing unit, 28d print control unit.

Claims (8)

A communication device that manages a plurality of IP addresses that can be used for communication in a network,
A storage area is secured for storing a plurality of IP address information including the IP address set for the communication device and the address setting type information indicating the IP address setting type regardless of the IP address setting type. Stored storage means,
Possess an IP address to be configured to the communication device, the IP address setting processing means for storing the IP address information and an address setting type information indicating the setting type of the IP address into the storage area,
As the upper limit number of IP addresses that can be stored in the storage means, an upper limit number that is applied when there is an empty storage area that can store new IP address information in the storage area of the storage means is set for each setting type. communication device being.   The IP address setting processing means is an empty storage area capable of storing IP address information in addition to a storage area required for storing at least one IP address information of each setting type in the storage area of the storage means. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when there is an IP address, the IP address information of the IP address to be set is stored in the storage area. A settable number storage means for storing the maximum settable number of IP address information for at least one setting type;
In the IP address setting processing means, the number of IP address information that is the same as the setting type of the setting target IP address in the storage area of the storage means is set to a maximum settable number of IP address information of the setting type. The IP address information to be set is stored in the storage area of the storage unit when there is an available storage area in the storage area of the storage unit that has not been reached. Communication equipment. The IP address setting type includes a link local address setting that sets a link local address that is an IP address unique to a link based on information set in advance in the communication device, and an IP address specified by the user. Manual setting, stateless address setting for setting an IP address based on information transmitted from a router, and stateful address setting for setting an IP address assigned from a DHCP server,
The IP address setting processing means is an address indicating that the setting target IP address is one of the setting types of the link local address setting, manual setting, stateless address setting, and stateful address setting. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein setting type information is associated and stored in the storage area.   The IP address setting processing means stores the IP address information by the link local address setting after the communication device is started, stores the IP address information by the manual setting, and then the IP by the stateless address setting or the stateful address setting. The communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein address information is stored.   6. The communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the IP address setting processing means registers IP address information by stateless address setting or stateful address setting in order from the one that can be set first.   The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the IP address is an IPv6 IP address. An address management method in a communication device that manages a plurality of IP addresses that can be used for communication in a network,
The storage unit of the communication device includes a plurality of pieces of IP address information including an IP address set in the communication device and address setting type information indicating a setting type of the IP address regardless of the setting type of the IP address. A storage area that can be stored for minutes is secured,
The IP address setting processing means of the communication device sends IP address information including an IP address to be set to the communication device and address setting type information indicating a setting type of the IP address to the storage area of the storage means. have a IP address setting processing step to be stored,
As the upper limit number of IP addresses that can be stored in the storage means in the IP address setting processing step, an upper limit number that is applied when an empty storage area capable of storing new IP address information is in the storage area of the storage means. An address management method set for each setting type .

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