JP6155954B2 - Information processing apparatus and method for generating network configuration information thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus that generates network configuration information and a generation method thereof.

  In recent years, due to the development of information technology, the scale and complexity of networks composed of nodes such as layer 2 (L2) switches and layer 3 (L3) switches are rapidly progressing. Such proper management of the network is performed by the network administrator grasping the latest network configuration.

  As a basic management method of the network configuration, management by manual operation (manual) can be mentioned. In the manual management, a current network configuration diagram is created. The network configuration diagram is updated every time the network configuration is changed. Such manual management methods are unlikely to cause omissions and mistakes due to the large-scale and complicated networks, and it is difficult to determine whether the network configuration diagram reflects the latest network configuration. There is a risk of becoming.

  As a technique for automatically acquiring a network configuration, for example, there is a method of determining a network configuration with a tree structure having a predetermined network device as a vertex (for example, Patent Document 1). In the technique of Patent Document 1, it is used that the size of an arbitrary subtree is smaller than the size of an upstream subtree including the subtree in the tree structure, and the size of each subtree corresponds to a node. It is determined by comparing the number of registered MAC (Media Access Control) addresses.

JP 2010-97273 A JP 2004-86729 A JP 2007-89030 A JP-A-10-322366

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 generates a tree structure based on the number of MAC addresses registered in a network device. On the other hand, in an actual network, for example, when a network device is restarted due to an abnormality, the MAC address of the network device may become unregistered. If a tree structure based on the number of registered MAC addresses is created in such a state, the created tree structure may be different from the original tree structure (network configuration).

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the tree structure of the entire network is rebuilt every time the network configuration is changed. For this reason, for example, in a large-scale network having thousands to tens of thousands of nodes, it takes time to obtain information on the network configuration related to the update even if the network configuration is slightly changed.

  An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique capable of suppressing the time required to update network configuration information in accordance with an actual network configuration change.

One aspect of the present invention is a communication device that performs communication processing with each of a plurality of nodes forming a network having a tree structure;
A storage device storing the configuration information of the network;
Processing for obtaining operating time from each of the plurality of nodes using the communication device, and from each of the nodes forming a subtree including the certain node when the operating time of the certain node is less than a threshold Processing for generating a hierarchical configuration of the subtree using information indicating the number of registered MAC (Media Access Control) addresses related to the acquired lower ports, and a configuration of the network using the generated hierarchical configuration of the subtree And a control device that performs an update process for updating information.

  Other aspects of the present invention may include a method for generating network configuration information of the information processing apparatus, a program for the information processing apparatus to execute the generation method, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program.

  According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the time required to update the network configuration information in accordance with the actual network configuration change.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a network system according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the management terminal. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the management terminal realized by the CPU of the management terminal executing a program. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of overall processing in the management terminal. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data structure example of the node information DB. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data structure example of the MAC address information DB. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data structure example of the hierarchy information DB. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an operation example. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of network configuration input processing. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of node information processing. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of node information processing. FIG. 12 shows the registration contents of the node information DB updated by the node information processing. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the MAC address extraction process. FIG. 14 shows the registered contents of the MAC address information DB updated by the MAC address extraction process. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of topology analysis processing. FIG. 16A is an explanatory diagram of a connection relation extraction method. FIG. 16B is an explanatory diagram of a connection relation extraction method. FIG. 16C is an explanatory diagram of a connection relation extraction method. FIG. 16D is an explanatory diagram of a connection relation extraction method. FIG. 17 shows the hierarchy information DB in which the registration content shown in FIG. 7 is updated. FIG. 18 shows an example of an image showing a network configuration displayed on the display device. FIG. 19 shows a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the management terminal according to the second embodiment. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a process when receiving sysUpTime information from a device. FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating MAC address extraction processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 23 shows an example in which a device (node) is exchanged. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of the registered contents of the node information DB when the switch is exchanged. FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of node information processing (during node replacement) in the third exemplary embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the embodiment is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment.

Embodiment 1
In the first embodiment, a device that generates information indicating a network configuration (network configuration) (a network configuration information generation device (hereinafter referred to as “generation device”)) will be described. The generation device generates configuration information of a network having a tree structure (tree structure) formed by a plurality of network devices (hereinafter simply referred to as “devices”). A device is a communication device or communication that transmits and receives data blocks (packets, frames) in L3 and L2, such as a relay device such as an L3 switch (including a router) and an L2 switch (including a switching HUB), or a terminal device. Device. A device is an example of a “node”.

  In the first embodiment, each device has a MAC address learning function that has a MAC address and performs MAC address learning through communication between the devices. That is, each device has one or more ports, and when a MAC frame is received from a certain port, the identifier (for example, port number) of the port that received the MAC frame and the source MAC address of the MAC frame The correspondence relationship is stored. As a result, the device learns that there is a device having a MAC address set as the source MAC address ahead of the port where the MAC frame is received. This is MAC address learning.

  Thereafter, when a certain MAC frame is received and the destination MAC address of the certain MAC frame is one of the stored (learned) MAC addresses, the MAC is stored from the port stored in association with the MAC address. Send a frame. As a result, the MAC frame finally reaches the device having the MAC address set as the destination MAC address. As described above, each device automatically generates a table (MAC learning table) used for transferring the MAC frame by performing the above-described learning when receiving the MAC frame from each port of the device.

  The network in the first embodiment has a tree structure (tree structure) without a loop by a plurality of devices (nodes). In a tree-structured network, a device is classified as one of a vertex node, an intermediate node, and an edge node. The vertex node is a node located at the vertex of the tree and is the highest node. The edge node is a node (lowest node) located at the lowest level of the tree. The intermediate node is a node located between the vertex node and the edge node. In the first embodiment, the direction from the edge node to the vertex node is defined as “upstream (upward direction)”, and the direction from the vertex node to the edge node is defined as “downstream (downward direction)”. However, the definition may be reversed.

The generation device generates network configuration information using the number of registered MAC addresses in each device. At this time, the generation apparatus uses the registered content of the MAC learning table in each device that reflects the actual latest network configuration. As described above, each device has a plurality of ports, and registers the MAC addresses of other devices connected via the ports in the learning table through communication between the devices. A certain amount of time is required for MAC address learning. For this reason, in a device newly added to the network or a device that has been restarted, the registered content of the MAC learning table may not match the actual network configuration.

In the first embodiment, the network configuration change part is specified based on sysUpTime, and M
Perform a partial update of the AC learning table. sysUpTime is information (parameter) that represents an elapsed time (operating time) since the device was activated, and can be obtained by using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). Hereinafter, “sysUpTime” may be referred to as “operation time”.

The generation device has a threshold of sysUpTime (operation time). The threshold is determined according to the scale of the network, for example. The generation device detects the operating time of each device, and identifies a device whose operating time is smaller than the threshold (less than the threshold) as a device that has been newly added or restarted. Then, the subtree to which the specified device belongs is specified as a changed part of the network configuration.

  At this time, for example, transmission of an arrival confirmation message (ping message) from the vertex node to the specified device is performed on the subtree to which the specified device belongs. Thereby, partial update of the MAC learning table of each device in the subtree is achieved. In the partial update, the MAC address under the lower port of each device (node) forming the subtree is learned. Further, the generation apparatus acquires the network configuration of the partial tree, and performs update processing on the existing network configuration information using the reacquired information.

  In this way, the update process is executed for the network configuration related to the re-acquired subtree. That is, the range of regenerating (updating) network configuration information is limited. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time required for updating the network configuration information accompanying the actual network configuration change. In addition, when acquiring network information related to a subtree, the MAC learning table of each device that forms the subtree is partially updated, so that it is possible to avoid a determination error in forming a hierarchy between devices.

<System configuration>
As an example of a system configuration in the first embodiment, a method for acquiring physical configuration information of a network including a plurality of L2 switches will be described. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a network system according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the network system includes a plurality of L2 switches (hereinafter simply referred to as “switches”) A to H. The network does not include a loop and has a tree structure (tree structure) in which a certain switch (switch A in FIG. 1) is a vertex node. Note that the number of switches is an example, and an appropriate number is selected.

In FIG. 1, the Latin characters (alphabetic characters) shown in parentheses in the blocks indicating the switches A to H indicate the MAC addresses of the switches. The numerical value shown in the lower part of the block indicates the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the switch. For example, the switch A has a MAC address “A” and an IP address “192.168.100.10”.

  The network system includes a network management terminal (hereinafter simply referred to as “terminal”) 10 including switches A to H. The terminal 10 corresponds to a generation device. The terminal 10 belongs to a network (outband) different from the network formed by the switches.

The terminal 10 functions as an SNMP manager, and the switches A to H function as SNMP agents. The terminal 10 can obtain sysUpTime (operation time) information and learning table information (MAC address registered in the MAC learning table) from each of the switches A to H by message exchange based on SNMP. The terminal 10 can acquire the network configuration as a tree structure by analyzing the sysUpTime information and the learning table information.

<Example of terminal configuration>
Next, a configuration example of the terminal 10 (network configuration information generation device) will be described.
<< Hardware configuration >>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the terminal 10. For example, a dedicated or general-purpose information processing device (computer) such as a personal computer (PC), a workstation (WS), or a server machine can be applied to the terminal 10. Therefore, the hardware architecture of the information processing apparatus can be applied as the hardware configuration of the terminal 10. The terminal 10 is an example of an “information processing device”.

  In FIG. 2, the terminal 10 includes, as an example, a CPU 11, a main storage device 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, a communication interface circuit (communication I / F) 14, and an I / O (Input / Output) device 15. Prepare. The CPU 11, the main storage device 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, the communication I / F 14, and the I / O device 15 are connected to each other via the bus B.

  The main storage device 12 functions as a main memory used as a work area for the CPU 11. The main memory is formed by, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The auxiliary storage device 13 stores various programs executed by the CPU 11 and data used when each program is executed.

The auxiliary storage device 13 is, for example, a nonvolatile recording medium, and can be formed using at least one of a hard disk, a flash memory, and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), for example. Each of the main storage device 12 and the auxiliary storage device 13 is an example of a recording medium.

The communication I / F 14 is a circuit or device that controls communication. For example, an existing network card or a network interface card (NIC) LAN (Local Area)
Network) interface devices can be applied. A plurality of switches A to H are connected to the communication I / F 14 via a communication line. Communication between the terminal 10 and each switch is performed via the communication I / F 14. The communication I / F 14 is an example of a communication device.

  The I / O device 15 is a circuit or device that manages interface processing of peripheral devices. For example, an input device 16 and an output device 17 are connected to the I / O device 15 as peripheral devices. The input device 16 is, for example, a keyboard, a button, a pointing device, or a touch panel. The output device 17 is, for example, a display device or a printer. The input device 16 and the output device 17 (display device) provide a user interface (UI) for an administrator and a worker (operator) to input information or acquire information.

  The CPU 11 can exhibit the function as the terminal 10 by loading the program installed in the auxiliary storage device 13 into the main storage device 12 and executing it. The CPU 11 is an example of a processor (microprocessor) or a control device. A DSP can be used instead of the CPU 11.

In the example of FIG. 2, the example in which the input device 16 and the output device 17 connected to the terminal 10 as peripheral devices provide a UI has been described. However, the terminal 10 may be configured to provide a UI for operating the terminal 10 to another information processing apparatus connected via a communication line connected to the communication I / F 14. For example, the terminal 10 can function as a Web server by executing a program by the CPU 11.

In this case, the terminal 10 serving as the Web server communicates with another information processing apparatus serving as the Web client (for example, HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) communication).
A web page (UI) for operating the b-based terminal 10 can be provided. Then, the CPU 11 can perform an update process of the network configuration information according to the information input by using the web page in another information processing apparatus.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the terminal 10 realized by the CPU 11 executing the program in the terminal 10. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the terminal 10 executes a network configuration input process 111, a node information process 112, a MAC address extraction process 113, and a topology analysis process 114 by executing a program of the CPU 11.

  At least one of the main storage device 12 and the auxiliary storage device 13 includes a node information database 115 (node information DB 115), a MAC address information database 116 (MAC address information DB 116), and a hierarchy information database 117 (hierarchy information DB 117). Remember.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of overall processing in the terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 4, in the network configuration input process 111, a process of registering node information input from the UI (for example, the input device 16) in the node information DB 115 is performed (01). The node information is information on a device (for example, a switch). Hereinafter, network devices and network devices are collectively referred to as “devices” or “nodes”.

  Next, in the node information processing 112, a process for specifying a device existing on the network is performed (02). At this time, acquisition processing of deletion flag information from the node information DB 115 and update processing of the node information DB 115 based on the deletion flag are executed. In the update process, the hierarchy information DB 117 is referred to as necessary (details will be described later).

Next, as MAC address extraction processing 113, update processing of the MAC address of the device using the specified device's sysUpTime and acquisition of the MAC address are performed (03). At this time, processing for registering the acquired MAC address in the MAC address information DB 116 is performed (details will be described later).

  Next, topology analysis processing 114 is executed (04). In the topology analysis process 114, a process for acquiring and storing network configuration information based on the MAC address information is performed. That is, the node information DB 115 is referred to using the MAC address information, topology information is generated, and registered in the hierarchy information DB 117. Further, the topology analysis process 114 displays the network topology and the display of communication NG on the UI (for example, a display device included in the output device 17). Details of the topology analysis processing 114 will be described later.

<DB configuration>
5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the node information DB 115, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the MAC address information DB 116, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the hierarchy information DB 117. is there.

As shown in FIG. 5, the node information DB 115 stores a table in which a plurality of entries prepared for each identifier (for example, a device name) of devices (switches in the example of FIG. 1) forming a network are registered. The Each entry stores “flag”, “vertex node”, “IP address”, and “update time” corresponding to the device name.

  The “flag” is used to set a “deletion flag” indicating that the device has been deleted from the network. “Vertex node” indicates an identifier of a device that is a vertex node in a tree forming the network. “IP address” indicates the IP address of the device. “Update time” indicates the update time of the entry.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the MAC address information DB 116 stores a table in which a plurality of entries are registered. Each entry stores “lower port”, “own MAC address”, “counter device 1”, “counter device 2”, “counter device 3”, and “update date / time” corresponding to the device name. As the counter device information, identifiers (device names) of the counter devices corresponding to the depth of the tree are stored.

  An entry is prepared for each lower port (port accommodating a lower node) of each device. For example, paying attention to the switch A (FIG. 1), the switch A has a port (lower port) 2 that accommodates the switch B and a port (lower port) 3 that accommodates the switch C. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, an entry related to port 2 of switch A and an entry related to port 3 of switch A are registered in the MAC address information DB 116.

  Focusing on the entry related to port 2 of switch A, the identifier (port number) of port 2 is registered as “lower port”. Further, the MAC address of the switch A is registered as “own MAC address”. In addition, the identifier of the switch B corresponding to the lower node connected to the port 2 is registered as “opposing device 1”. Furthermore, identifiers of lower nodes (switch D and switch E in the example of FIG. 1) accommodated by the switch B are registered as “opposing device 2” and “opposing device 3”. As the “update date and time”, the update date and time of the entry is registered.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the hierarchical information DB 117 stores a table in which one or more entries related to lower nodes located immediately below each device are registered. In each entry, “vertex node”, “hierarchy number”, “link information”, “used port”, and “update date” corresponding to the identifier (device name) of the device are registered (stored). Prepared for each port included in an entry for a lower node located directly under each device.

  For example, for switch A, entries corresponding to switch B and switch C, which are lower nodes located immediately below switch A, are registered. In the entry related to the switch B (lower port 2) of the switch A, the identifier of the switch A is registered as “vertex node”. In addition, a hierarchy number “0” indicating the hierarchy (depth) to which the vertex of the tree belongs is registered as the “hierarchy number”. In addition, as “link information 1”, an identifier (device name) of a switch B that is another device connected via a link immediately below the switch A is registered. In addition, the identifier (port number) of port 2 that is used by the switch A for connection to the switch B is registered as “used port”. Then, the update date / time of the entry is registered as “update date / time”.

As for the switch B, entries corresponding to the switches D and E which are lower nodes are registered. For example, in the entry related to the switch D (port 2) of the switch B, the identifier of the switch A is registered as “vertex node”. Also, a hierarchy number “1” indicating the next hierarchy (depth) of the vertex node is registered as the “hierarchy number”. Further, as “link information 1”, the identifier of the switch D, which is another device connected via a link immediately below the switch B, is registered. In addition, the identifier (port number) of port 2 that is used by the switch B for connection to the switch D is registered as “used port”. Then, the update date / time of the entry is registered as “update date / time”. In this way, the entry related to the lower node of each device is registered in the hierarchy information DB 117. Note that “link information 1” and “used port”, which are information related to the lower nodes, are not registered for the edge nodes located in the lowest layer (hierarchy number “2”) in the network, that is, the switches EG .

  In the description according to FIGS. 6 and 7 described above, an example is shown in which the device name is registered as the identifier of the device (switch) as the information of the opposite device and the link information. However, a configuration may be adopted in which the MAC address of each device is stored in addition to the device name. Further, a configuration using the MAC address of each device as the “device name” can also be adopted.

<Terminal operation>
Hereinafter, an operation example (processing example) in the terminal 10 will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an operation example. As shown in FIG. 8, the operation when the switch C as an intermediate node is deleted while the switch H is added as an edge node in the network (switches A to H) shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

<< Network configuration input processing >>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the network configuration input process 111 (01 in FIG. 4). The process shown in FIG. 9 is triggered by the input of device information (node information) from an administrator using a UI (for example, the input device 16).

  For example, assume that node information indicating deletion of the switch C and node information indicating addition of the switch H are input to the node information DB 115 as node information as illustrated in FIG.

  Then, the CPU 11 performs a process of reflecting the input node information (input information) in the node information DB 115 (011). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the CPU 11 additionally registers an entry corresponding to the switch H. Next, the CPU 11 sets an addition or deletion flag (012). That is, the CPU 11 sets an additional flag in the entry of the switch H. Further, the CPU 11 sets a deletion flag in the entry of the existing switch C. Then, the CPU 11 performs update processing of the update times of the switch C and the switch H (013). When the processing of 013 ends, the CPU 11 proceeds to node information processing 112.

<< Node information processing >>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the node information processing 112 (02 in FIG. 4). The process illustrated in FIG. 10 is executed, for example, by the CPU 11 subsequent to the network configuration input process 111 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 10, the CPU 11 searches the hierarchy information DB 117 for devices under the deletion target device (021). Next, the CPU 11 determines a device under the deletion target device as a deletion target, and adds a deletion flag to the node information DB 115 (022).

  Next, the CPU 11 deletes the row (entry) in which the identifier of the device to be deleted is registered as “device name” and “link information” in the hierarchy information DB 117. Then, the CPU 11 updates the node information DB 115 (023). That is, the CPU 11 deletes the entry for which the deletion flag is set.

As described above, the node information processing 112 compares the hierarchical information DB 117 storing the data at the time of the previous update with the node information DB 115, and confirms whether there is a device under the device to be deleted. When there is a subordinate device, the CPU 11 also deletes the subordinate device, and updates the node information DB 115 and the hierarchy information DB 117. After the end of the node information processing 112, the process proceeds to the MAC address extraction process 113.

  Details of the operation in the case where the hierarchical information DB 117 at the time of the processing of 010 has the registration contents shown in FIG. 7 and the deletion target device is the switch C will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the CPU 11 refers to the entry of the switch C in the hierarchical information DB 117 and detects the switch F and the switch G that are devices under the switch C (<1> in FIG. 11). According to the detection result, the CPU 11 determines the switch F and the switch G as deletion targets.

  Next, the CPU 11 refers to the entries of the switches F and G and searches for devices under the control of the switches F and G. However, since each of the switch F and the switch G has no subordinate device, the search ends. By referring to the hierarchy information DB 117, the switch C, the switch F, and the switch G are determined as final devices to be deleted.

  The CPU 11 deletes the entry in which “switch C”, “switch F”, and “switch G” are registered as device names from the hierarchy information DB 117. Furthermore, the CPU 11 also deletes an entry in which any one of “switch C”, “switch F”, and “switch G” is registered as link information. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the entry (second from the top) of the device name “switch A” including the link information “switch C” is deleted (FIG. 11 <3>).

  Then, the CPU 11 accesses the node information DB 115 and deletes an entry whose device name is any one of the switch C, the switch F, and the switch G. As a result, the registered contents of the node information DB 115 are in the state shown in FIG.

<< MAC address extraction process >>
In the MAC address extraction process 113, the MAC address is acquired for the purpose of partially updating the MAC address of each device (related to the lower port). In the MAC address extraction process 113, a preset sysUpTime threshold is used. When a certain device is added to the network soon, or when a restart is performed on a certain device, the sysUpTime in these devices is considered to be below the threshold value. Therefore, if there is a device whose sysUpTime is smaller than the threshold (hereinafter also referred to as “target device”), whether the target device has been added or the device has been restarted Determined. If the target device is an added device, ping transmission is performed from the vertex node of the subtree including the target device to the target device (additional node). On the other hand, if the target device is a restarted device (restart node), ping transmission is performed from the device (lower node) under the target device.

By transmitting the ping, in each device forming a subtree including the target device, partial update of the learning table, that is, forced learning of the MAC address related to the lower port of each device is performed. The sysUpTime threshold is set as appropriate by the administrator, assuming that the frequency of communication varies depending on the size of the network. Further, regarding the ping transmission, the vertex node obtains the IP address of the ping transmission target device registered in the node information DB 115 from the terminal 10 and implements it. In addition, the tier information registered in the tier information DB 117 of the terminal 10 is used for ping transmission related to the restarted device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the MAC address extraction process 113 (03 in FIG. 4). The CPU 11 executes the processing in FIG. 13 following the node information processing 112. The CPU 11 updates the MAC address information DB 116 based on the registered contents of the node information DB 115 (see FIG. 12) (031). At the start time of 031, the MAC address information DB 116
In FIG. 6, the contents shown in FIG. 6 are registered.

Specifically, the CPU 11 specifies the switch C, the switch F, and the switch G deleted from the node information DB 115 based on the difference between the node information DB 115 and the MAC address information DB 116. Then, the CPU 11 deletes a row (entry) in which any of the switch C, the switch F, and the switch G is registered as “device name” or “counter device” from the MAC address information DB 116. As a result, from the MAC address information DB 116 shown in FIG. 6, the device name “Switch A” in which the entry of the device name “Switch C” and the opposing devices “Switch C”, “Switch F”, and “Switch G” are registered. Entry is deleted.

Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the process for obtaining the sysUpTime (operation time) has been completed for the remaining switches A, B, D, E, and H registered in the node information DB 115 ( 032). At this time, if the sysUpTime (operation time) acquisition process for all the switches has been completed (032, Y), the MAC address extraction process 113 ends, and the process proceeds to the topology analysis process 114. On the other hand, when there are remaining switches (032, N), the CPU 11 selects one of the remaining switches and advances the process to 033. For example, the switch is selected in the entry registration order.

In 033, the CPU 11 transmits an SNMP Get Request message to the switch (selection switch) selected in 032 using the communication I / F 14, and acquires the sysUpTime (operation time) of the switch (033). At this time, the IP address of the selected switch stored in the node information DB 115 is used as the destination IP address of the Get Request message.

  In response to the Get Request message, the CPU 11 receives a response message including sysUpTime (operation time) transmitted from the selection switch via the communication I / F 14. The CPU 11 refers to the node information DB 115 and the source IP address of the response message, and identifies the switch that transmitted the response message. Subsequently, the CPU 11 stores the value of the operation time in advance in the threshold of the operation time set in advance on the terminal 10 (at least one of the main storage device 12 and the auxiliary storage device 13) with respect to the selection switch that has acquired the operation time. It is determined whether it is smaller than (034). At this time, if the value of the operating time is equal to or greater than the threshold (034, N), the process returns to 032.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation time is smaller than the threshold (034, Y), the CPU 11 determines that the selection switch is the above-described target device, and advances the process to 035. In 035, the CPU 11 refers to the node information DB 115 and determines whether or not an additional flag is set in the entry of the selection switch. At this time, if the addition flag is set (035, Y), the CPU 11 determines that the selection switch (that is, the target device) has been added, and advances the processing to 036. On the other hand, if the additional flag is not set (035, N), it is determined that the selection switch (that is, the target device) is a device that has been restarted, and the process proceeds to 037.

  In 036, the CPU 11 instructs the apex node (switch A) of the subtree including the target device (added device) to transmit a ping to the target device (034). For example, when the target device is the switch H, the CPU 11 includes the IP address of the switch H (stored in the node information DB 115) in the ping transmission instruction. The IP address of the switch A is set as the destination address of the ping transmission instruction.

The vertex node (switch A) that has received the transmission instruction executes ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) for the switch H. The ARP message is forwarded to the lower switch by broadcasting, and as a result, one ARP message reaches the switch H via the switch B and the switch E. Switch H responds to the ARP message from switch A, and switch A learns the MAC address of switch H. The MAC address of switch H is registered in the ARP table of switch A in association with the IP address of switch H. Communication from the switch A to the switch H is performed using the MAC address registered in the ARP table.

  The switch H transmits a response message (echo-reply) to the ping message to the switch A. The response message traces the path of the ping message in the reverse direction (switch E → switch B), and finally reaches the switch A. At this time, when the switch E receives the response message, the switch H is connected to the port 2 of the switch E from the identifier (port number) of the reception port of the response message and the source MAC address included in the response message. Can be learned (registered in the MAC learning table).

  Similarly, the switch B can learn (register in the MAC learning table) that the switch H exists under the port 3 by receiving the response message at the port 3. Further, the switch A can learn the presence of the switch H located under the port 2 (register in the MAC learning table) by receiving the response message from the port 2.

  As described above, the MAC address learning from the downstream to the upstream is performed in each of the switch E, the switch B, and the switch A by transmitting the response message from the edge node (switch H) to the vertex node (switch A). . As a result, the MAC learning contents are partially updated (related to the lower ports) at each node (switch A-switch B-switch E-switch H) forming the subtree. In other words, the registered contents of the MAC address learned for the lower ports in the switches A, B, E, and H forming the subtree are in a state that matches the actual configuration of the subtree network. Thereafter, the CPU 11 returns the process to 032.

  037 and 038 are processes performed when the target device is considered to be a device that has been restarted. For example, a case where the switch B illustrated in FIG. 8 is a device that has been restarted will be described as an example. In 037, the CPU 11 obtains the configuration information including the switch B in the hierarchy information DB 117 (FIG. 7). The configuration information is information on devices under the target device (switch B). The subordinate devices include not only devices directly under the target device but also devices under the devices immediately below.

  Specifically, the CPU 11 refers to the entry of the device name “switch B” in the hierarchy information DB 117 and obtains the identifier (device name) of the switch D and the identifier of the switch E as link information. Subsequently, the CPU 11 refers to the entries of the switch D and the switch E in the hierarchical information DB 117 based on the identifiers of the switch D and the switch E. Since link information is not registered in the entries of the switches D and E, the CPU 11 ends the search for the subordinate devices. In this way, information on the switches D and E under the switch B is obtained as the configuration information. Such a device under the target device may be referred to as a “component device”.

  The CPU 11 advances the process to 038 and instructs the target device (switch B) to transmit a ping to the switch D and the switch E using the communication I / F 14. In order to ping the switch D and the switch E, the instruction includes the IP addresses of the switch D and the switch E registered in the node information DB 115.

The switch B sends a ping to the switch D and the switch E according to the instruction. By receiving the ping response message from the switch D, the switch B can learn the association between the response message reception port (port 2) and the MAC address of the switch D. Further, by receiving the response message from the switch E, the switch B can learn the association between the response message reception port (port 3) and the MAC address of the switch E. When the process of 038 ends, the process returns to 032. Instead of the above ping transmission process, by instructing the switches D and E to transmit a ping to the switch B, the switch B learns the MAC address related to the lower port. Also good.

  If there is a device (eg, switch X: not shown) whose link information is registered in the hierarchical information DB 117 under the switch D, the switch X is also included in the component device, and the ping transmission of the switch B is performed. The instruction includes a ping instruction for the switch X under the switch D.

  In this way, the MAC address of the subordinate device can be learned by ping transmission based on the information of the subordinate device registered in the hierarchy information DB 117 to the target device that has been restarted. However, if the link information of the added device (for example, switch H) is not reflected in the hierarchical information DB 117, ping cannot be transmitted to the added device at 038. However, regarding the added device, the target device (switch B) that has been restarted by the ping transmission (036) from the vertex node (switch A) to the switch H is changed from the added device (switch H). Receive a response message. Thereby, the MAC address of the added device can be learned.

At 032, when the processing (033 to 038) relating to the acquisition of sysUpTime for all devices registered in the node information DB 115 (in the example of FIG. 12, switch A, switch B, switch D, switch E, and switch H) is completed. (032, Y), the process proceeds to 039.

  In 039, the CPU 11 performs an update process of the MAC address information DB 116 using SNMP. That is, the CPU 11 inquires about the registered contents of the MAC address related to the lower port in the MAC learning table for all devices (switches) registered in the node information DB 115. In the inquiry, the IP address of each switch is used as the switch identifier. That is, the IP address of the inquiry target switch is set as the destination IP address of the inquiry message.

  The CPU 11 receives an inquiry response from each device (switch). The switch that made the reply can be identified from the source IP address of the reply message. When there is a difference between the response content and the content of the MAC address information DB 116, the CPU 11 performs an update operation. The answer includes information indicating the relationship between the MAC address of the inquiry target device (switch), one or more lower port identifiers (port numbers), and the corresponding MAC address.

  For example, in the inquiry to the switch E, the CPU 11 returns an answer including the MAC address of the switch E, the identifier (port number) of the port 2 of the switch E, and the MAC address of the switch H connected to the port 2 from the switch E. Receive. The CPU 11 updates the MAC address information DB 116 based on the received answer.

FIG. 14 shows the result of updating the MAC address information DB 116 by the process 036. The following updates are made from the registered contents of the MAC address information DB 116 shown in FIG. That is, the entry relating to the switch C is deleted by the process of 023 (FIG. 10). Further, based on the answers from the switches A and B, the CPU 11 adds the identifiers of the switches H as “counter unit 4” and “counter unit 2” to the respective entries of the switch A and the switch B. Furthermore, based on the answer from the switch E, the CPU 11 adds an entry for the switch E to the MAC address information DB 116. In the entry of the switch E, the MAC address of the switch E is registered as its own MAC address, the port 2 is registered as a lower port, and the identifier (device name) of the switch H is registered as the opposite device 1.

  In the above description, the MAC address of the lower port included in the response from each switch (for example, the MAC address of the switch H) is not registered in the hierarchy information DB 117. However, a configuration in which the MAC address of the lower port is managed separately may be adopted. When the processing of 036 ends, the MAC address extraction processing 113 ends, and the process proceeds to the topology analysis processing 114.

<< Topology analysis processing >>
In the topology analysis process 114, the MAC address information DB 116 is referred to, and a tree structure is acquired. In the topology analysis, for a newly added device (device having an addition flag), network configuration information of only a subtree having the MAC address of the target device as a lower port is acquired, and the hierarchy information DB 117 Updated.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the topology analysis process 114 (04 in FIG. 4). The CPU 11 refers to the node information DB 115 (FIG. 12) and confirms the entry for which the additional flag is set. At this time, the switch H is specified as a newly added device. The CPU 11 extracts the connection relation for the switch H according to the connection relation extraction method (041).

  16A to 16D are explanatory diagrams of the connection relation extraction method executed in 041 of FIG. 16A to 16D illustrate, as an example, a connection relation extraction method related to a subtree formed by the switch A, the switch B, the switch E, and the switch H.

  Here, in the MAC learning table of the switch A, the MAC addresses (B of the switch B, the switch D, the switch E, and the switch H are shown as the MAC addresses of the nodes connected to the lower ports (MAC addresses related to the lower ports). , D, E, H) are registered. In the MAC learning table of the switch B, the MAC addresses (D, E, H) of the switches D, E, and H are registered as MAC addresses related to the lower ports. Further, in the MAC learning table of the switch E, the MAC address (H) of the switch H is registered as the MAC address related to the lower port. Since the switch H has no subordinate node (lower node), the MAC address related to the lower port is not registered in the MAC address learning table.

(Procedure 1-1)
As shown in FIG. 16A, first, devices having a common MAC address are connected bidirectionally. In the example shown in FIG. 16A, the switch A, the switch B, the switch E, and the switch H each have the MAC address (H) of the switch H. For this reason, the switch A, the switch B, the switch E, and the switch H are bi-directionally connected by a temporary link.

(Procedure 1-2)
Next, as illustrated in FIG. 16B, among the connected devices, a device with a large number of registered MAC addresses related to the lower ports is determined as a higher device. That is, in the comparison between the switch A and the switch B, the number of registered MAC addresses of the switch A (four) is larger than the number of registered MAC addresses of the switch B (two). Is done. In comparison between the switch B and the switch E, the number of registered MAC addresses of the switch B (three) is larger than the number of registered MAC addresses of the switch D (one). It is determined. Further, in the comparison between the switch E and the switch H, the number of registered MAC addresses of the switch E (one) is larger than the number of registered MAC addresses of the switch H (zero). Is done. As a result, the temporary links from the switch H to the switches E, B, and A are deleted. In addition, the temporary links going from the switch E to the switch B and the switch A are deleted. Further, the temporary link from switch B to switch A is deleted.

(Procedure 1-3)
Next, when there are devices connected by a link from a plurality of devices, the device with the smallest number of registered MAC addresses is determined as the host device among the host devices. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16B, the switch H is connected to the switches E, B, and A through a plurality of temporary links. The switch E is connected to the switches B and A by a plurality of temporary links. For this reason, regarding the switch E, the number of registered MAC addresses is compared between the switch A and the switch B. At this time, the number of registered MAC addresses of switch B (three) is less than the number of registered MAC addresses of switch A (four) (the number of registered MAC addresses of switch B is the smallest). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16C, the temporary link from the switch A to the switch E is deleted, the link from the switch A to the switch B is determined as a formal link, and the link from the switch B to the switch E is formal. Determined as a link. In addition, regarding the switch H, the number of registered MAC addresses is compared among the switches A, B, and E. As a result, since the registration of the MAC address of the switch E is minimum, the temporary link from the switch A to the switch H and the temporary link from the switch B to the switch H are deleted, and the link from the switch E to the switch H is deleted. Is determined as the official link.

(Procedure 1-4)
The devices at both ends of the formal link determined in the procedure 1-3 hold a common MAC address. Therefore, the port of the upper device having a common MAC address is determined as the lower port. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 16D, the switch H and the switch E have the MAC address (H) of the switch H as a common MAC address. For this reason, the port associated with the switch H in the switch E is determined as a lower port for the switch H. The switch E and the switch B hold the MAC address (E) of the switch E as a common MAC address. Therefore, the port related to the MAC address of the switch E in the switch B is determined as a lower port for the switch E. The switch A and the switch B have the MAC address of the switch B as a common MAC address. Therefore, a port related to the MAC address of switch B in switch A is determined as a lower port for switch B.

  In 041, the CPU 11 extracts the connection relation related to the subtree (switch A-switch B-switch E-switch H) including the switch H to be added using the connection relation extraction method described above (that is, the subtree). Identify the topology).

  Of the ports of each device (switch), the port to which the vertex node is connected is the upper port, and the other ports are the lower ports. A device whose MAC address is not registered in a lower port can be identified as an edge node.

The CPU 11 uses the number of opposing devices related to a certain switch stored in the MAC address information DB 116 in the comparison of the number of registered MAC addresses in the connection relation extraction method described above. For example, if the registered content of the MAC address information DB 116 is the information shown in FIG. 14, the identifiers of the switch B, the switch D, the switch E, and the switch H for the switch A are registered as information on the opposite device of the lower port. The number of these identifiers is used as the MAC address registration number. The same applies to the switch B, the switch E, and the switch H. Such information registered in the MAC address information DB 116 is an example of “information indicating the number of registered MAC addresses related to the lower ports”.

By using the connection relation extraction method, the topology related to the subtree including the switch H using the MAC address is extracted. Next, the CPU 11 updates the hierarchy information DB 117 with the hierarchy information obtained according to the connection relation extraction method (042). That is, the CPU 11 calculates the hierarchy number for the newly added device, that is, the switch H, and updates the hierarchy information DB 117. At this time, the hierarchy number of the vertex node (switch A) is set to “0”. When an additional device (switch H) is connected to a lower level of a certain device (switch E), a value obtained by adding 1 to the layer number of the certain device is added as the layer number of the additional device. Is done. Since the switch H 2 is under the control of the switch E, the result is 3 obtained by adding 1 to the hierarchical number 2 of the switch E. FIG. 17 shows the hierarchy information DB 117 in which the registration contents shown in FIG. 7 are updated.

  Next, the CPU 11 generates an image (view) indicating the network configuration (tree structure) based on the registered contents (hierarchy number, link information, used port) in the hierarchical information DB 117 (044). The CPU 11 displays the image on a UI, for example, a display device included in the output device 17. FIG. 18 shows an example of an image showing a network configuration displayed on the display device. As shown in FIG. 18, the image shows a tree of a plurality of nodes (switches) forming a network.

  In each node, a port number connected to the opposite device via a link is displayed. Regarding switch A, it is displayed that port 2 which is a lower port is connected to an upper port (port 1) of switch B via a link. With respect to the switch B, the switch B is connected to the lower port (port 2) connected to the upper port (port 1) of the switch D via the link and to the upper port (port 1) of the switch E via the link. Having a lower port (port 3) is displayed. Regarding switch E, switch B is indicated to have a lower port (port 2) connected via a link to the upper port (port 1) of switch H. Each of the switch D and the switch H, which are edge nodes, is displayed as being connected to the upper node at the upper port (port 1), and is not displayed because there is no information regarding the lower port.

<Effect of Embodiment 1>
According to the first embodiment, when a network configuration is changed, a subtree including devices (nodes) whose operation time is less than the threshold is specified as a network configuration change location, and the subtree is analyzed by topology analysis related to the subtree. The network configuration is updated. As a result, the rewriting range for updating the network configuration information can be limited to a partial tree, and the update time can be shortened. In addition, by performing ping transmission for devices whose operating time is less than the threshold, the MAC address learning contents related to the lower ports of each device (node) forming the subtree are updated to the latest state (lower node). The MAC address registration content can match the actual subtree).

<Modification>
The above-described ping transmission in the first embodiment is performed because each device (node) forming the network has a MAC address learning function. When adding a device to the network or restarting a certain device, registration of the MAC address for the added device or the restarted device is executed statically (for example, manually). Omitted.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, the learning content (registration state) of the MAC address related to the lower port of each node forming the subtree by the ping transmission (036) regarding the additional target device from the vertex node is the actual part. It can be in a state consistent with the network configuration of the tree. Furthermore, the learning contents of the MAC address related to the upper port in the additional target device can be matched with the configuration of the subtree by the following processing.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a process related to a MAC address compulsory learning control method for an upper port. For example, a case where the switch H in FIG. 8 is an additional target device will be described as an example.

  In FIG. 19, the CPU 11 performs the same processing as 036 in FIG. As a result, the MAC address learning related to the lower ports of the switch E, the switch B, and the switch A, which are upper nodes of the switch H, is forcibly performed. At this time, the switch H learns the MAC address of the switch E, which is the upper node directly above, in association with the upper port.

  Next, the CPU 11 performs the process of 036A after the process of 039 in FIG. 13 (update of the MAC address information DB 116). In 036A, the CPU 11 transmits an SNMP message to the switch H, and inquires about the MAC address related to the upper port. From the MAC address of the switch E included in the response from the switch H and the registered contents of the MAC address information DB 116 (FIG. 14), the CPU 11 can determine that the device immediately above the switch H is the switch E.

  Furthermore, the CPU 11 refers to the hierarchy information DB 117 and acquires configuration information from the switch A that is the vertex node to the switch E that is the immediately above device. As a result, the CPU 11 can obtain information on the switch A, the switch B, and the switch E as the configuration information.

  Next, as the processing of 036B, the CPU 11 instructs the additional device to perform ping transmission related to the intermediate node excluding the vertex node. That is, the CPU 11 instructs the switch H to ping transmission to the switch B and the switch E. Since learning of the MAC address related to the switch A has already been performed in the processing of 036, it is excluded. However, the switch A may be included.

  As a result, the switch H sends a ping to the switch B and the switch E, and receives a response message. Thereby, the switch H can learn the MAC addresses of the switch A, the switch B, and the switch E as the MAC addresses related to the upper port. As a result, the learning content of the MAC address related to the upper port can be matched with the network configuration of the actual subtree.

  As the processing of 036B, the CPU 11 may instruct the switch B and the switch E to transmit ping to the switch H. Note that, for the restarted device, the above-described processing of 036A and 036B is executed, so that the MAC address learning content related to the upper port in the restarted device can be matched with the network configuration of the subtree.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. Since the second embodiment includes points in common with the first embodiment, differences will be mainly described, and descriptions of common points will be omitted. In the second embodiment, as a method of acquiring sysUpTime (operation time) from each device, a mode is adopted in which sysUpTime transmitted from each device to the management terminal is received at a predetermined timing by a spontaneous operation in each device. To do.

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the management terminal 10A (hereinafter, “terminal 10A”) according to the second embodiment. Since the hardware configuration of the management terminal 10A is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 2), description thereof is omitted. As a difference from the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the terminal 10 </ b> A further includes a sysUpTime information DB (operation time information DB) 118 that stores sysUpTime (operation time) from each device.

Each device (for example, the switches A to H illustrated in FIG. 1) spontaneously transmits a message including the operation time to the terminal 10 at a predetermined timing. The message includes at least an operation time (sysUpTime) and a sender switch identifier (for example, a device name). The predetermined timing is, for example, a periodic or periodic timing preset in each device. Further, the operation time information may be transmitted in response to a predetermined event such as when a device is added or restarted.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing processing upon reception of a message including sysUpTime (operation time) from the device. The process shown in FIG. 21 is executed every time a message is received. The communication I / F 14 receives a message including the operation time from each device and gives it to the CPU 11. The CPU 11 stores the message in the operating time information DB 118.

The CPU 11 compares the received (stored) value of sysUpTime (operation time value) with a threshold set in advance by the administrator, and determines whether or not the operation time value is less than the threshold, separately from the network configuration update. (051). At this time, when the operating time value is smaller than the threshold value (051, Y), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the identifier of the device included in the message is registered in the node information DB 115 (052).

At this time, if the identifier of the device is not registered in the node information DB 115 (052, N), it is determined that the device that is the source of the sysUpTime transmission is added, and the process proceeds to 053. On the other hand, if the identifier of the device is registered in the node information DB 115 (052, Y), it is determined that the device that has transmitted the sysUpTime is the device that has been restarted, and the process proceeds to 054.

  When the process advances from 052 to 053, the CPU 11 performs the same process as the process of 036 described in the first embodiment (FIG. 13) using the communication I / F 14 (053). As a result, each of the upper nodes of the added device (the device positioned immediately above the device added from the vertex node) learns the MAC address of the added device with respect to the lower port.

  On the other hand, when the processing advances from 052 to 054, the CPU 11 performs the same processing as 037 and 038 (FIG. 13) described in the first embodiment (054, 055). As a result, the restarted device forcibly learns the MAC address of the device under its control as MAC address learning related to the lower port. When the processing of 053 or the processing of 054 and 055 is finished, the processing shown in FIG. 21 is finished.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating the MAC address extraction process 113 according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, as described above, the forced MAC address learning related to the lower ports of each device is performed in a flow (FIG. 21) different from the MAC address extraction process 113. For this reason, the processing of 032 to 038 shown in FIG. 13 is omitted. Therefore, the CPU 11 can immediately update the MAC address information DB 116 by executing the process 039 after the process 031, and can move to the topology analysis process 114.

According to the second embodiment, the terminal 10Ag performs determination based on the operating time information as needed by autonomous transmission of the operating time information from the network side, and updates the MAC learning table as necessary (
ping transmission). Thereby, the procedure of the MAC address extraction process 113 can be reduced. In other words, the time of the MAC address extraction process 113 can be reduced. This reduction in time contributes to a reduction in the time required for the network configuration update process.

[Embodiment 3]
Next, Embodiment 3 will be described. Since the third embodiment includes points in common with the first embodiment, differences will be mainly described, and description of common points will be omitted. As a third embodiment, a method for acquiring a network configuration when a device replacement (exchange) occurs due to a device failure or the like will be described. The third embodiment is applicable to both the terminal 10 of the first embodiment and the terminal 10A of the second embodiment. In the following description, the terminal 10 of Embodiment 1 will be described as an example.

  FIG. 23 shows an example in which a device (node) is exchanged. For example, in the network composed of the switches A to G, a case is assumed in which the switch B is replaced with the switch I due to the failure of the switch B. The switch I has a different MAC address (H) from the switch B.

  When device replacement occurs, the device to be replaced (switch B) is deleted. However, the nodes forming the subtree with the switch B as the vertex are not deleted. In the example of FIG. 23, the switch D and the switch E, which are lower nodes of the switch B, are not deleted. For this reason, the IP address of the exchanged device (the device to be deleted (removed)) is assigned to the IP address of the device newly installed by replacement.

  FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of the registered contents of the node information DB 115 when the switch B is replaced with the switch I. The registration contents in FIG. 24 follow the network configuration shown in FIG.

  At the time of exchange, information related to the switch I (vertex node “A”, IP address, additional flag) is input from the UI to the terminal 10 as input information. As the IP address of switch I, the IP address of switch B to be deleted is designated. Also, the deletion setting of the switch B is included in the input information.

  The CPU 11 executes a network configuration input process 111 (FIG. 9) based on the input information. As a result, as shown in FIG. 24, an entry related to the switch I is added, and an addition flag is set in the entry. In addition, a deletion flag is set in the entry of the switch B. As the IP address of the switch H, the same IP address as that of the switch B is set.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of node information processing (during node replacement) in the third exemplary embodiment. A difference from the node information processing 112 shown in FIG. 10 is that a process of 061 is added. In 061, the CPU 11 refers to the node information DB 115 (FIG. 24) and determines whether or not there is a node having the same IP address as the IP address of the deletion target node.

  When no node exists (061, N), the processes 021 and 022 as described in the first embodiment are executed. On the other hand, if a node exists (061, Y), the processes 021 and 022 are skipped and the process 023 is executed. In the example shown in FIG. 24, since the switch H having the same IP address as the IP address of the switch B exists at 061, the processes 021 and 022 are skipped. This avoids the deletion of the switch D and the switch E, which are lower nodes of the switch B.

<Others>
Regarding the embodiments including the above first to third embodiments, the following additional notes are disclosed.

(Supplementary Note 1) A communication device that performs communication processing with each of a plurality of nodes forming a network having a tree structure;
A storage device storing the configuration information of the network;
Processing for obtaining operating time from each of the plurality of nodes using the communication device, and from each of the nodes forming a subtree including the certain node when the operating time of the certain node is less than a threshold Processing for generating a hierarchical configuration of the subtree using information indicating the number of registered MAC (Media Access Control) addresses related to the acquired lower ports, and a configuration of the network using the generated hierarchical configuration of the subtree A control device for performing update processing for updating information;
An information processing apparatus including: (1)

(Supplementary Note 2) When each of the plurality of nodes has a MAC address learning function and the certain node is considered to be a node added to the network, the control device To the vertex node of the subtree including a transmission instruction to transmit an arrival confirmation message from the vertex node to the certain node, and by transmitting the arrival confirmation message of the vertex node A node forming a subtree learns the MAC address of the certain node;
The information processing apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the control apparatus acquires information indicating the number of registered MAC addresses related to the lower-order port from a node forming the subtree after the learning is performed. (2)

(Supplementary Note 3) When each of the plurality of nodes has a MAC address learning function and the certain node is considered to be an existing node in the network that has been restarted, the control device Transmission for transmitting an arrival confirmation message from the certain node to one or more nodes corresponding to lower nodes of the certain node based on the hierarchical information of the subtree including the certain node stored in the storage device A process of giving an instruction to the one or more nodes or a transmission instruction for transmitting an arrival confirmation message from the one or more nodes to the certain node is performed, and the one or more nodes The certain node learns the MAC addresses of the one or more nodes by transmitting an arrival confirmation message of
The information processing apparatus according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the control apparatus acquires information indicating the number of registered MAC addresses related to the lower port from a node forming the subtree after the learning is performed. (3)

(Additional remark 4) When the said control apparatus receives the deletion instruction | indication of a node, it detects the subordinate node of the node corresponding to a deletion instruction | indication using the configuration information of the network, and the node and detection corresponding to the said deletion instruction | indication The information processing apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 3, wherein the subordinate node is deleted from the configuration information of the network. (4)

(Supplementary Note 5) When the information related to the change in the configuration of the network is input, the control device makes an inquiry about the operating time to each node in the network using the communication device. The information processing apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein it is determined whether or not the operation time obtained from is less than a threshold value.

(Additional remark 6) The said communication apparatus receives each operation time of each of these nodes transmitted spontaneously from each of the nodes which exist in the said network,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 4, wherein the control apparatus determines whether or not the received operation time is less than a threshold value. (5)

(Additional remark 7) When the said control apparatus produces | generates the said hierarchy structure, the hierarchy when the node which forms the said subtree is arranged from the vertex in order with many registration numbers of the MAC address which concerns on a low-order port, The information processing apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, which is determined as a hierarchy of each node in the subtree. (6)

(Supplementary Note 8) After the update process, the control device connects each node in the network with a link according to a tree structure as an image showing the configuration of the network displayed on the display, and each link is connected The information processing apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 7, wherein an image in which a port of each node to be specified is clearly generated is generated.

(Additional remark 9) In order for the said control apparatus to include the IP address of the node applicable to the destination of an arrival confirmation message in the said transmission instruction, the said memory | storage device is IP (Internet) of the said some node
Protocol) address,
When the control device obtains an instruction to delete the node and an instruction to add the new node in accordance with the exchange from the node to the new node in the network, the IP address of the new node and the The information processing apparatus according to any one of appendices 4 to 8, wherein a process of detecting a lower node of the certain node is avoided when an IP address of the certain node is the same. (7)

(Supplementary Note 10) When the certain node is considered to be a node added to the network, the control device is based on hierarchical information of a subtree including the certain node stored in the storage device. A process of transmitting a transmission instruction for transmitting an arrival confirmation message from the certain node to each node at least between the vertex node and the certain node in the partial tree, or the partial tree In any one of appendixes 2 to 9, wherein a process of transmitting a transmission instruction for transmitting an arrival confirmation message from each node between the vertex node and the certain node to the certain node is performed. The information processing apparatus described. (8)

(Additional remark 11) The control apparatus of information processing apparatus is
Obtaining an operation time from each of the plurality of nodes by communication processing with each of the plurality of nodes forming a network having a tree structure;
Information indicating the number of registered MAC (Media Access Control) addresses related to lower ports acquired from each of the nodes forming the subtree including the certain node when the operation time of the certain node is less than the threshold To generate a hierarchical structure of the subtree,
A method for generating network configuration information of an information processing device, comprising updating network configuration information stored in a storage device using the generated hierarchical configuration of the subtree. (9)

(Supplementary Note 12) When each of the plurality of nodes has a MAC address learning function and the certain node is considered to be a node added to the network, the control device To the vertex node of the subtree including a transmission instruction to transmit an arrival confirmation message from the vertex node to the certain node, and by transmitting the arrival confirmation message of the vertex node A node forming a subtree learns the MAC address of the certain node;
The network configuration information of the information processing device according to appendix 11, wherein the control device acquires information indicating the number of registered MAC addresses related to the lower port from the nodes forming the subtree after the learning is performed. Generation method. (10)

(Supplementary note 13) When each of the plurality of nodes has a MAC address learning function, and the certain node is considered to be an existing node in the network that has been restarted, the control device, Transmission for transmitting an arrival confirmation message from the certain node to one or more nodes corresponding to lower nodes of the certain node based on the hierarchical information of the subtree including the certain node stored in the storage device A process of giving an instruction to the one or more nodes or a transmission instruction for transmitting an arrival confirmation message from the one or more nodes to the certain node is performed, and the one or more nodes The certain node learns the MAC addresses of the one or more nodes by transmitting an arrival confirmation message of
The network configuration of the information processing apparatus according to appendix 11 or 12, wherein the control apparatus acquires information indicating the number of registered MAC addresses related to the lower port from the nodes forming the subtree after the learning is performed. How information is generated. (11)

(Additional remark 14) When the said control apparatus receives the deletion instruction | indication of a node, it detects the low-order node of the node corresponding to a deletion instruction | indication using the configuration information of the network, and the node and detection corresponding to the said deletion instruction | indication 14. The method for generating network configuration information of the information processing apparatus according to any one of appendices 11 to 13, wherein the added lower node is deleted from the configuration information of the network. (12)

A to H ... switches (network equipment)
10 ... management terminal (network configuration information generation device)
11 ... CPU
12 ... Main storage device 13 ... Auxiliary storage device 14 ... Communication interface circuit 15 ... I / O device 16 ... Input device 17 ... Output device 111 ... Network configuration input processing 112 ... Node information processing 113 ... MAC address extraction process 114 ... Topology analysis process 115 ... Node information database 116 ... MAC address information database 117 ... Hierarchical information database 118 ... sysUpTime information database

Claims (12)

A communication device that performs communication processing with each of a plurality of nodes forming a network having a tree structure;
A storage device storing the configuration information of the network;
Processing for obtaining operating time from each of the plurality of nodes using the communication device, and from each of the nodes forming a subtree including the certain node when the operating time of the certain node is less than a threshold Processing for generating a hierarchical configuration of the subtree using information indicating the number of registered MAC (Media Access Control) addresses related to the acquired lower ports, and a configuration of the network using the generated hierarchical configuration of the subtree A control device for performing update processing for updating information;
An information processing apparatus including: When each of the plurality of nodes has a MAC address learning function and the certain node is considered to be a node added to the network, the control device may include a subtree including the certain node. A processing to give the vertex node a transmission instruction to transmit an arrival confirmation message from the vertex node to the certain node, and form the subtree by transmitting the arrival confirmation message of the vertex node The learning node learns the MAC address of the certain node,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the learning is performed, the control apparatus acquires information indicating the number of registered MAC addresses related to the lower port from a node forming the subtree. When each of the plurality of nodes has a MAC address learning function, and the certain node is considered to be an existing node in the network that has been restarted, the control device stores data in the storage device. Based on the stored hierarchical information of the subtree including the certain node, a transmission instruction for transmitting an arrival confirmation message from the certain node to one or more nodes corresponding to lower nodes of the certain node Or a process of giving a transmission instruction for transmitting an arrival confirmation message from the one or more nodes to the certain node, and reaching the certain node or the one or more nodes By sending a confirmation message, the certain node learns the MAC address of the one or more nodes,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control apparatus acquires information indicating the number of registered MAC addresses related to the lower-order port from a node forming the subtree after the learning is performed. When the control device receives a node deletion instruction, the control device uses the configuration information of the network to detect a lower node of the node corresponding to the deletion instruction, and the node corresponding to the deletion instruction and the detected lower node The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is deleted from the configuration information of the network. The communication device receives the operation time of each of the plurality of nodes, spontaneously transmitted from each of the nodes existing in the network,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control apparatus determines whether the received operation time is less than a threshold value. When generating the hierarchical structure, the control device determines a hierarchy when nodes forming the partial tree are arranged from the top in order of the number of registered MAC addresses related to lower ports in the partial tree. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is determined as a hierarchy of each node. In order for the control device to include the IP address of the node corresponding to the destination of the arrival confirmation message in the transmission instruction, the storage device may use the IP (Internet Protocol) of the plurality of nodes.
) Remembers the address,
When the control device obtains an instruction to delete the node and an instruction to add the new node in accordance with the exchange from the node to the new node in the network, the IP address of the new node and the The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein when an IP address of a certain node is the same, a process of detecting a lower node of the certain node is avoided. When it is considered that the certain node is a node added to the network, the control device performs the or based on the hierarchical information of the subtree including the certain node stored in the storage device. A process of transmitting a transmission instruction for transmitting an arrival confirmation message to each node between a vertex node of the partial tree and the certain node at least in the partial tree, or in the partial tree The process according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein a process of transmitting a transmission instruction for transmitting an arrival confirmation message from each node between the vertex node and the certain node to the certain node is performed. The information processing apparatus described. The control device of the information processing device
Obtaining an operation time from each of the plurality of nodes by communication processing with each of the plurality of nodes forming a network having a tree structure;
Information indicating the number of registered MAC (Media Access Control) addresses related to lower ports acquired from each of the nodes forming the subtree including the certain node when the operation time of the certain node is less than the threshold To generate a hierarchical structure of the subtree,
A method for generating network configuration information of an information processing device, comprising updating network configuration information stored in a storage device using the generated hierarchical configuration of the subtree. When each of the plurality of nodes has a MAC address learning function and the certain node is considered to be a node added to the network, the control device includes a subtree including the certain node. A processing to give the vertex node a transmission instruction to transmit an arrival confirmation message from the vertex node to the certain node, and form the subtree by transmitting the arrival confirmation message of the vertex node The learning node learns the MAC address of the certain node,
The network configuration information of the information processing device according to claim 9, wherein the control device acquires information indicating the number of registered MAC addresses related to the lower-order port from a node forming the subtree after the learning is performed. Generation method. When each of the plurality of nodes has a MAC address learning function, and the certain node is considered to be an existing node in the network that has been restarted, the control device stores data in the storage device. Based on the stored hierarchical information of the subtree including the certain node, a transmission instruction for transmitting an arrival confirmation message from the certain node to one or more nodes corresponding to lower nodes of the certain node Or a process of giving a transmission instruction for transmitting an arrival confirmation message from the one or more nodes to the certain node, and reaching the certain node or the one or more nodes By sending a confirmation message, the certain node learns the MAC address of the one or more nodes,
The information processing device network according to claim 9 or 10, wherein after the learning is performed, the control device acquires information indicating the number of registered MAC addresses related to the lower port from the nodes forming the subtree. Configuration information generation method. When the control device receives a node deletion instruction, the control device uses the configuration information of the network to detect a lower node of the node corresponding to the deletion instruction, and the node corresponding to the deletion instruction and the detected lower node 12. The method for generating network configuration information of an information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the network configuration information is deleted from the configuration information of the network.

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