JPH02279039A - Internal diagnostic system for local area network controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the internal diagnosis by making an internal diagnostic section resident in a main storage section provided on a local area network controller and executing loopback test, thereby diagnosing the normality of line set and network based on the start from an input section and test parameter input. CONSTITUTION:An internal diagnostic section 11 (test program) is loaded and made resident in the main storage section 18 of a local area network(LAN) controller and a test execution instruction is inputted from an input section 12 to start the internal diagnostic section 11. The started internal diagnostic section 11 edits the test parameter inputted succeedingly to generate a test data 50, which is sent to the line set 4 and the loopback data 51 received with loopback is read by the line set 4, collated with the test data 50 and the result of diagnosis is displayed on the display section 12. The internal diagnostic section 11 is made resident in the main storage section 18 of the LAN controller in such a manner. Thus, the internal diagnostic section 11 is operated by the instruction from the input section 13 and the LAN controller is simply diagnosed without using the host processor.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] The present invention relates to an internal diagnosis method for a local area network control device, and aims to diagnose the local area network control device without using a host processor. In the local area/network control device that controls the connected network, there is an input section for inputting test execution instructions and test parameters, a display section for displaying test information, and a main memory resident for inputting execution instructions. an internal unit that is activated by the test parameter, generates test data based on the test parameters and sends it to the line set, and compares and diagnoses the return data received back with the test data, and displays the diagnosis result on the display unit. A diagnostic section is provided, and the internal diagnostic section is resident in the main storage section of the local area network control device, and a return test is performed based on startup and test parameter input from the input section, and the line set and the Configure to diagnose network health.

[Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to an internal diagnostic method for a local area network control device.

In a local area network (LAN) system, a LAN control device that controls the network is connected to a host processor (hereinafter referred to as host) and controls the LAN based on instructions from the host.

When testing and maintaining this LAN control device, conventionally, a test program is installed on the host, and the normality of the function of the LAN control device is confirmed by executing the test and receiving and comparing expected values. ,This method always requires host connection, and the test system is also large-scale.

Therefore, when considering the promotion of non-stop network systems and the utilization of system resources, an internal diagnostic method is required to test and maintain LAN control equipment without connecting a host.

[Conventional technology] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional diagnostic method.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a system in which a LAN control device 2 controls a set of networks l.
Now, the F layer control section and the L layer control section.

A communication control unit 5 consisting of an M layer control unit communicates with the host 3 and the terminal 10.
Control data exchange between

Here, the line set 4 is a device that is connected to the M-layer control unit and the line cable attachment terminal 9, and forms an interface between the LAN control device 2 and the network 1, and is used to generate physical signals for the network 1. , decoding, for example, serial-to-parallel conversion of data, setting of frame control 1x speed, etc.

L A N ill ? with the above configuration? Il device 2
In addition, when testing or maintaining the network 1, after making a loop connection at the exit of the line set 4, an arbitrary position of the network 1, etc., the diagnostic section (test program) 8 is loaded into the host 3 and a loop test is performed.

The diagnostic unit 8 generates test data consisting of pattern data etc. based on the manually input test parameters, sends it to the LAN control device 2, and compares the received return data with the test data. to verify normality.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As explained above, the conventional LAN! Diagnosis of the II control device is carried out by running a test program on the host processor that controls the LAN control device.
Connecting to a host during a test such as when manufacturing an N control device poses a problem in that the test device becomes large-scale and resources are wasted.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, which shows an example of a bridge connection, when maintaining a LAN control device that bridges the networks 111 and 12, the conventional method of testing by connecting a processor for testing is not possible. In addition to the above-mentioned issues, there is also the issue of the time required for testing.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an internal diagnosis method for a local area network control device that does not require a host processor.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the local area of the present invention,
The internal diagnosis method of the network control device consists of an input section (13) for inputting test execution instructions and test parameters, and a display section (12) for displaying test information, as shown in FIG. 1, a diagram of the principle of the present invention. , main memory (1
8) and is activated by inputting an execution instruction, generates test data (50) based on the test parameters and sends it to the line set (4), and also sends return data (51) received in return. The test data (5
The LAN control device is provided with an internal diagnostic section (11) that performs a diagnosis by comparing the results with 0) and displays the diagnosis results on the display section.

[For production]

Set internal diagnostic section 11 (test program) to L when power is turned on.
It is loaded into the main memory section 18 of the AN control device and made to reside therein, and a test execution instruction is inputted from the input section 13 to start the internal diagnosis section 11.

The activated internal diagnostic unit 11 then edits the input test parameters, generates test data 50, sends it to the line set 4, reads back received return data 51 from the line set 4, and performs the test. data 5
0 and display the diagnosis result on the display unit 12.

As described above, by making the internal diagnostic unit 11 resident in the main storage unit 18 of the LAN control device, the internal diagnostic unit 11 can be operated by instructions from the input unit 13, and the LAN control device can be easily configured without using a host processor. The control device can be diagnosed.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, a LAN control device that is provided with a plurality of line sets and performs network bridge connection will be described as an example.

FIG. 2 is a diagnostic operation flowchart, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the LAN control device of the embodiment, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of test parameters, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of test execution status display, and FIG. The figure shows an example of error display.

In the LAN control device shown in FIG. 3, reference numeral 4 denotes a plurality of line sets (#1 to In) provided corresponding to the types of networks 1 to be bridge-connected, each with a transmitting/receiving buffer 20 . Access unit 21 that performs transmission and reception processing of physical signals corresponding to network l. Line Triver DV 2
2. Consisting of line receiver RV 23, etc., 6 is a communication resource management section, each control section and internal diagnosis section 1
1 starts, 9a and 9b are mounting parts, and each is a LAN control device.

11 is an internal diagnostic unit according to the present invention, which connects the terminal equipment 0 to the network 1 with a cable; 11 is an internal diagnostic unit related to the present invention;
12 is a display section, which is a simple 8-digit alphanumeric display, and 13 is an input section (ENTRY key), which is a hexadecimal display. 14 is a floppy disk for inputting data, and 15 is a panel control unit, which includes a display unit 12 and an input unit 13.
16 is a floppy control unit, 17 is a ROM control unit, which controls the ROM (not shown) and loads the internal diagnostic unit 11 etc. into the main storage unit 18. 18 is a main memory section into which each program stored in the floppy disk 14 is loaded when the power is turned on; 19 is an L
This is an S interface section, which is composed of a plurality of registers corresponding to each line set 4, and the same reference numerals represent the same objects throughout the other figures.

In the LAN control device configured as described above, when the power is turned on, the internal diagnosis section 11 is loaded into the main storage section 18 and resides therein.

When executing a test, the operator performs loopback connections (excluding loopbacks within line set 4) so that the test target is included, inputs startup instructions and test parameters from the input unit 13, and starts the test. .

At this time, the display unit 12 displays input data, the status of execution, and test results.

FIG. 4 shows an example of test parameters corresponding to the display, and shows line 7 I-NO to be tested.

Specify the turning point, how to handle errors (stop/continue the test), and enter the number of test executions in hexadecimal.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the turning points are: (1) inside the line set, (2) DV 22. which is the interface between the line set 4 and the mounting portion 9a. RV 23 (varies depending on the type of line set), (2) mounting portions 9a, 9b, and other parts, (2) and (2) are connected back by the operator.

In particular, specify ■ when testing the cables and attachment parts of network 1.

Figure 5 shows an example of the display during test execution.
Whether the test is being executed or not, the line set number to be tested,
The type of line set, turning point, number of executions, etc. are displayed.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a display when an error occurs, and the line set number, line set type, turning point, error type, etc. are displayed.

Here, the types of errors include a timeout error in which data cannot be received within a predetermined time, a return error, a test data mismatch, a callback setting not possible, and the like.

In the LAN control device having the above configuration, operations and test operations are performed as follows.

(1) Operation tz-)) is the input section 13 (ENTR
(Y key) to issue a test execution instruction.

This execution instruction input may be made during operation.

(2) The communication resource management unit 6 learns that the internal diagnosis unit 11 has been activated, and activates the internal diagnosis unit 11.

(3) After confirming the response display from the internal diagnosis section 11, the operator operates the human power section 13 to input test parameters.

As a result, the internal diagnostic section 11 receives and receives the specified test parameters.

(4) Next, the internal diagnostic unit 11 edits the test parameters, assembles the test data 50 necessary for test execution, and sends it to the line set 4 to be tested.

This test data 50 is composed of a source address, a destination address (in this case, the same as the source address), pattern data, etc., and the line set 4 converts it into a physical signal according to the network 1 and sends it to the network l. .

Note that when the turning point ■ inside the line set 4 is specified, the test data 5 stored in the sending/receiving buffer 20 is
0 is connected to the internal diagnostic unit 11 via the LS interface unit 19.
is read into.

(5) Return data 51 is received by the same line set 4 and read into the internal diagnostic section 11.

Thereby, the internal diagnosis unit 11 compares the return data 51 with the test data 50 and verifies -defeat/non-defeat.

(6) If there is a match, the above test is repeated a specified number of times, and if all matches are found, the display section 12 displays data (for example, all ``0'') indicating that the test has been successfully completed.

(7) In case of mismatch, an error message is displayed as shown in FIG.

As described above, the test is executed while interacting with the display unit 12, and the test results are displayed.

Note that a default operating engine that does not specify test parameters is provided, and for example, inputting "D F " instructs the default operation.

This default operation has the effect of preventing variations in testing skill among operators.

As mentioned above, the main memory section 18 of the LAN III fal device
By having the internal diagnostic unit 11 resident in the computer, tests can be performed quickly without the intervention of the host.

Although the embodiment has described a LAN control device for bridge connection having a plurality of line sets 4, if the present internal diagnostic section 11 is provided in a device having one set of line sets 4, it is possible to easily connect a host to a LAN control device. Of course, the test can be easily performed without any

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention provides a LAN control device in which an internal diagnosis section is permanently resident in a LAN control device, and which performs internal diagnosis with a simple operation.
II? LAN control equipment used for network bridge connections,
This has the effect of making it easier to test the LAN control device being manufactured.

23 is a line receiver RV, 50 is test data, and 51 is return data.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a diagram of the principle of the present invention, Figure 2 is a diagnostic operation flow diagram, Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a test execution status display, Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of an error display, and Figure 7 is a diagram of the conventional method. Diagnosis method explanatory diagram, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of bridge connection. In the figure, l is a network, 2 is a LAN control device, 3 is a host, a host processor, 4 is a line set, 5 is a communication control unit, 6 is a communication resource management unit, 7 is a host interface unit, 8 is a diagnostic unit, 9 9a and 9b are mounting parts, 10 is a terminal, 11 is an internal diagnosis part, 12 is a display part, 13 is an input part,
14 is a floppy disk, 15 is a panel control section, 16 is a floppy control section, 17 is a ROM control section, 18 is a main storage section, 1
9 is an LS interface section, 20 is a transmitting/receiving buffer, 2
1 is an access section, 22 is a line controller Fig. 1 Flowchart Fig. 2 A block diagram of the LAN control device of the embodiment Fig. 3 An example of test parameters Fig. 4 Fig. 5 An example of an error display Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure showing an example of bridge connection Figure 8

Claims (1)

[Claims] A network (1) connected via a line set (4)
), an input section (13) for inputting test execution instructions and test parameters, a display section (12) for displaying test information, and a main storage section (18) resident in the local area network control device that controls the is started by inputting an execution instruction, and the test data (50
) and sends it to the line set (4), and also compares and diagnoses the return data (51) received back with the test data (50) and displays the diagnosis result on the display unit. (11), the internal diagnosis section (11) is made to reside in the main storage section (18) provided in the local area network control device, and the input section (13) is provided.
) and performs a return test based on test parameter input to diagnose the normality of the line set (4) and the network (1). .