JPH09321804A - Inter network equipment and network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a terminal equipment not having a dynamic routing function and an ARP function to realize network management by communication and statistic information without notifying path changeover. SOLUTION: The system is made up of two inter network equipments and inter-equipment connection means connecting them. Each inter network equipment is made up of a plurality of routing modules 13, 14 (23, 24) and a management module 12(22) managing the state of the routine modules 13, 14 (23, 24). The routine modules 13, 14 (23, 24) have at least one port (17-19, 27-29) connecting to the networks 41, 51 and have a management information base(MIB) storage section. The management module 12(22) has a routing protocol processing function, a fault detection function, a fault notice function to other system, a function receiving a fault notice from other system and an MIB control section.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a plurality of networks.
Related to an internetwork device such as a router for connecting the network at the network layer level and a network system connected by these devices, and particularly to a redundant configuration for performing switching control of a replacement device when a device such as a router fails. Regarding network system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a system in which one router connects a plurality of networks, the entire system stops when a router failure occurs. However, a highly reliable system can be provided by constructing a redundant system with two routers and switching between the active router and the standby router.

As a conventional technique of this switching system, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-131208, a redundant configuration system is formed by switching the entire system to a standby system when a failure occurs in an active system. There are things that will happen.

In a network system,
Various management information such as statistical information and setting information is exchanged between the nodes in the network, and MIB (Manager)
tInformation Base, management information base).

[0005]

In the above-mentioned prior art redundant configuration system, when a failure occurs, the entire device is switched, and normally operating ports other than the failed working port are also switched to the standby system. There is also a problem that switching of routes occurs even in communication between networks connected to operating ports. Therefore, MI
When transmitting and receiving the management information managed by B, it is necessary to be aware of the switching of the route.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and when a failure occurs in a working port, switching of paths does not occur in communication between networks connected to a port that is operating normally, and thus an internetwork An object of the present invention is to provide an internetwork device and a network system that can perform network management by MIB without being aware of the physical configuration of the device.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a plurality of networks and the plurality of networks are connected to each other, and one operates as an active system and the other operates as a replacement system in case of failure of the active system. In a network system having first and second internetwork devices and inter-device communication means for mutually communicating between the first and second internetwork devices, each internetwork device is connected to another internetwork device. Using a routing protocol that dynamically determines the relay route with the network device,
A management module; and a plurality of interface modules for connecting the internetwork apparatus and each of the plurality of networks, wherein the management module manages the entire internetwork apparatus.
A relay route selection information table for dynamically determining a relay destination of packet data received from one of the plurality of networks with another internetwork device, and a routing for creating the relay route selection information table A protocol processing unit and a unit for reading statistical information of the other internetwork device, each of the plurality of interface modules having at least one port unit connected to one of the plurality of networks;
It has a means for transmitting and receiving packet data to and from the network connected to the port unit, and a unit for accumulating statistical information on communication of the port unit, and when operating as the replacement internetwork device, operates as the active system. A port section of the internetwork apparatus is connected to the network to which the corresponding port section of the active internetwork apparatus is to be replaced when a failure occurs,
For a failure of the port unit of the internetwork device operating as the active system of the first and second internetwork devices, operate as a replacement system of the first and second internetwork devices on a port-by-port basis The port unit connected to the network to which the fault port unit of the active system of the internetwork device is connected operates in place of the fault port unit of the active system.

More preferably, the port section includes first address information of a network layer including a network number unique to each connection network and a host number unique to the port section, and a physical layer unique to the port. When the second module has second address information and operates as an active system of the first and second internetwork devices, the management module further includes failure detection means for the port section in the interface module. Definition information storage means for indicating the presence / absence of a replacement device having the configuration of the internetwork device when a failure is detected, and a replacement system of the first and second internetwork devices through the inter-device communication means when a failure is detected Means for notifying the internetwork device that operates as a fault of the fault, and the internetwork device that has caused the fault. And a means for disconnecting the port part of the base module from the network, and when operating as an alternate system of the first and second internetwork devices, the management module is directed to the active internetwork device. Means for storing definition information as an alternate system; failure notification receiving means for receiving information notifying a failure from the active internetwork device when the active internetwork device detects a port failure; The first address information and the second address information set to the port which is the failure part of the active internetwork device when the failure notification receiving means recognizes the failure of the port part of the active internetwork device. Address information of the network layer of the port of the replacement internetwork device and the port And means for setting the address information of the specific physical layer.

According to the present invention, in the active internetwork apparatus, the fault detecting means of the port section detects a fault of the port section, and at the time of detecting the fault, means for indicating the presence / absence of a replacement apparatus having an internetwork apparatus configuration. Indicates that there is a replacement device, the means for notifying the other internetwork device of the failure notifies the replacement internetwork device of the failure using the communication means between the internetwork devices, and the failure The means for disconnecting the port unit from the network disconnects the faulty port from the network. Further, in the replacement internetwork device, the means for receiving the failure notification receives the failure notification from the active internet device, and the means for managing the port unit and the entire internetwork device is connected to the port unit. The address information of the port is reset using the means for resetting the address information. Further, in the active and replacement internetwork devices, the main processor having the routing protocol processing function updates the relay route selection information table in each internetwork device, so that the replacement internetwork device is used in units of ports. It switches to the system and operates. Then, when the network management terminal requests the redundant configuration system to collect statistical information (MIB), the internetwork device operating in the active system reads the above-mentioned statistical information of the alternate internetwork device. By means of collectively returning the statistical information of the entire redundant configuration system by means, the network management can be performed without the network management terminal being aware of the physical redundant configuration.

In the active internetwork apparatus, the means for repairing the faulty port section restores the faulty port, the means for managing the port section and the overall internetwork apparatus manages the address information of the port section. By using the resetting means, the address information of the port is reset and reconnected to the network, and after the active switching becomes the alternate system, the alternate internetwork device switches to the active system on a port-by-port basis. .

[0011]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the entire network system in an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1
Reference numerals 1 and 21 denote routers, one of which has a dual configuration in which it operates as a working system that operates normally, and the other operates as a standby system that operates when a failure of the working system occurs. Reference numeral 31 is an inter-device communication bus for communicating between the router 11 and the router 21, 41 and 51 are networks, and 42 and 52 are terminals. 43 is a port G of the terminal 42, which is connected to the network 41. 5
Reference numeral 3 is a port H of the terminal 52, which is connected to the network 51. Reference numerals 12 and 22 denote management modules of the router 11 and the router 21, respectively. The management module 12 of the router 11 is a port E (19) for communicating with the management module 22 of the router 21 via the inter-device communication bus 31.
Having. The management module 22 of the router 21 has a port F (29) for communicating with the management module 12 of the router 11 through the inter-device communication bus 31. 13,1
4 is a routing module of the router 11, 23, 24
Is a routing module of the router 21. The routing module 13 has a port A (17) connected to the network 41, and the routing module 1
4 is port C (18) connected to network 51
Having. The routing module 23 has a port B (27) connected to the network 41, and the routing module 24 has a port D (28) connected to the network 51. 15 and 25 are router buses of the router 11 and the router 21, respectively. Reference numerals 16 and 26 are routing tables of the router 11 and the router 21, respectively. The port E (19) and the port F (29) are interconnected by an inter-device communication bus 31.

The router 11 comprises a management module 12 and routing modules 13 and 14, and these modules are interconnected by a router bus 15. The management module 12 includes the routing modules 13 and 14
Of the router 21, a function of generating a routing table 16 by a routing protocol, and a function of communicating with the router 21 through the inter-device communication bus 31. The routing modules 13 and 14 have a relay function of relaying IP frames according to the routing table 16 generated by the management module 12.

The router 21 comprises a management module 22 and routing modules 23 and 24, which are interconnected by a router bus 25. The management module 22 uses the routing modules 23 and 24.
, A function of generating a routing table 26 by a routing protocol, and a function of communicating with the router 11 through the inter-device communication bus 31. The routing modules 23 and 24 have a relay function of relaying IP frames according to the routing table 26 generated by the management module 22.

The intra-device communication bus 31 connects the management module 12 of the router 11 and the management module 22 of the router 21. The role of the intra-device communication bus 31 is to serve as a path for notifying the management module of the other router of the failure information of the routing module detected by one router, and also as a bypass path at the time of failure.

Reference numeral 1042 denotes a management terminal, 1043 denotes a port I of the management terminal 1042, which is connected to the network 41. The management terminal 1042 is the MIB of the management module.
Statistical information (Management Information)
management base (hereinafter abbreviated as MIB). Reference numerals 1011 and 1021 denote MIB control units of the management module 12 and the management module 22, respectively. The MIB control units 1011 and 1021 have a function of communicating with each other through the inter-device communication bus 31. 101
Reference numerals 2, 1013, 1022, and 1023 denote MIB storage units that store MIBs relating to frames transmitted and received at ports A, B, C, and D, respectively. MIB control unit 1
011 and 1021 are router buses 1 in the router, respectively.
It has a function of collecting MIB data from the MIB accumulating unit in the routing module through 5, 25. MI
The B control unit and the management terminal 1042 have ports I, A, B,
It has a function of transferring MIB data through C and D.

Next, the address system of the device (router in the embodiment) will be described.

In this device, in addition to the IP address and MAC address unique to the router 11 system and the router 21 system, respectively,
Both systems have a common relay IP address and common relay MAC address. A relay IP address and a relay M common to both systems are used for the ports of the active routing modules.
AC address is defined for connection with an external terminal.

In this device, the I of the port currently in operation is
The relay IP address and the relay MAC address are always used as the P address and the MAC address, and the IP address and the MAC address unique to each port are used as the backup port.

As will be described below, by using the relay IP address and the MAC address as the interface of this apparatus on the terminal side such as WS and PC, the dynamic routing function and the ARP function are not provided at the time of port switching. It is possible for the terminal to communicate without being aware of the route switching.

That is, according to the present invention, when the failure occurs, the IP address of the spare port is changed to the relay IP address, and at the same time, the MAC address is changed to the relay MAC address to realize the path switching.
In the following, focusing on IP address replacement, the implementation method will be described for the three cases of failure occurrence points. In addition, MA
The C address can be changed in the same manner as the IP address.

The IP address used in the description is defined as follows.

X is a common IP for port A and port B
Address. -A is an IP address unique to port A. B is an IP address unique to port B • y is an IP address common to port C and port D. C is an IP address unique to port C -D is an IP address unique to port D. E is an IP address unique to port E -F is an IP address unique to port F.

First, the operation during normal operation is shown in FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a path during normal communication in the present embodiment, and 61 is a terminal 42 during normal communication.
And the terminal 52. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents of the routing table at the time of normal communication in the present embodiment. 101 is the contents of the routing table 16 and 201 is the contents of the routing table 26, respectively.
In addition, in FIG. 3, networks A, B, and C indicate the networks 41 and 51 and the inter-device communication bus 31, respectively. The same applies to FIGS. 6, 8 and 10 below.

The address system in the normal operation between the terminal 42 of the network 41 and the terminal 52 of the network 51 in this apparatus is as follows.

IP address of port A: x. IP address of port B: b. -IP address of port C: y. -IP address of port D: d. -IP address of port E: e. -IP address of port F: f.

The communication paths between the terminal 42 and the terminal 52 are as follows according to the routing table 101 and the routing table 201.・ From H to H via A and C.・ From H to C via A and then to G.

Next, the operation of statistics collection during normal operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing MIB collection during normal communication in this embodiment. In FIG. 4, 110
Reference numeral 1 denotes issuance of a MIB acquisition request from the management terminal 1043 to the relay address x, and 1102 and 1103 respectively request MIB collection to the routing module 13 having the relay address x in the router 11 in response to the MIB request 1101. And the response. Reference numeral 1104 denotes an MI for the routing module 23 having the relay address x for the MIB control unit 1021 of the other router 21.
A B collection request is shown, and 1105 and 1106 show a MIB collection request and its response to the routing module 23 having the relay address x in its own router 21. Further, 1107 indicates a response to the MIB request from the router 11, and 1108 indicates M from the management terminal 1042.
A response to the IB request 1101 is shown.

The device of this embodiment collects the MIB of the relay address x by the following procedure. (1) The management terminal 1042 sends M to the relay address x
The IB collection request 1101 is issued. (2) The MIB control unit 1011 receives the MIB request 1101 via the ports I and A. (3) The MIB request 1102 is issued to the routing module 13 having the relay address x in its own router 11. (4) The routing module 13 is the MIB storage unit 10
The 12 MIB responses 1103 are transferred to the MIB control unit 1011. (5) The MIB control unit 1011 is the MI of the other router 21.
The MIB request 1104 is issued to the B control unit 1021. (6) The MIB control unit 1021 issues a MIB request 1105 to the routing module 23 having the address x in its own router 21. (7) The routing module 23 is the MIB storage unit 10
The MIB response 1106 of 22 is transferred to the MIB transfer unit 1021. (8) The MIB control unit 1021 transfers the MIB response 1107 to the MIB control unit 1011. (9) The MIB control unit 1011 includes the MIB storage unit 1012,
Total communication traffic statistical information of the relay address x is calculated based on the MIB of 1022. (10) The MIB control unit 1011 transfers the total communication traffic statistical information 1108 to the management terminal 1042. Through this series of operations, the MIB request for the relay address x from the management terminal 1042 can be returned.

Next, as the first case for explaining the path switching at the time of failure, the case where a failure occurs at the port A will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 11.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a procedure of path switching when a failure occurs in the port A (17).
The failure 71 occurs in the port A (17) connected to the network 41 of the routing module 13 of FIG. Reference numeral 72 indicates that the management module 12 of the router 11 has detected the failure 71 of the port A (17). In the reference numeral 73, the management module 12 of the router 11 is the inter-device communication bus 31.
To the management module 22 of the router 21 via port A
This indicates that the failure 71 of (17) is notified. Reference numeral 74 indicates that the management module 22 of the router 21 has changed the IP address of the port B (27) connected to the network 41 of the routing module 23 of the router 22. Reference numeral 75 indicates a route from the terminal 42 to the terminal 52. 76
Indicates that the routing protocol included in the management module 12 of the router 11 has updated the routing table 16. Reference numeral 77 denotes a routing table 2 which is a routing protocol included in the management module 22 of the router 21.
6 is updated. 78 is terminal 52 to terminal 42
Indicates the route to.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the contents of the routing table after the path switching due to the failure of the port A (17), where 102 is the contents of the routing table 16 generated by the management module 12 of the router 11, and 20 is the contents.
2 is the contents of the routing table 26 generated by the management module 22 of the router 21.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the procedure of processing when a failure occurs in this embodiment. The processing flow when a failure occurs in the port A (17) will be described below with reference to FIG.

During normal communication before a failure (301), a failure occurs in the router 11 and communication between the terminals 42 and 52 is interrupted (302). Management module 12 of router 11
Identifies the site where the failure has occurred (303), and the router 11
The management module 12 of the router is the management module 2 of the router 21.
2 is notified of the failure (304). According to the identification result of the faulty part (305), the management module 22 of the router 21 causes the port B (2) because the fault of the port A (17) in this case.
The IP address of 7) is replaced (306), and the route from the terminal 42 to the terminal 52 is restored (307). Further, the routing protocol included in the management module 12 of the router 11 updates the routing table 16, and the routing protocol included in the management module 22 of the router 21 updates the routing table 26 (31
0). By the above processing, the mutual path between the terminal 42 and the terminal 52 is restored (312), and the normal communication state after the communication between the terminal 42 and the terminal 52 is restored (313).

To summarize the above, when a failure occurs in the port A (17), this device performs the following operation by the terminal 42.
The communication between the terminal 52 and the terminal 52 is restored. (1) The management module 12 of the router 11 detects the failure of the port A. (2) The management module of the router 11 notifies the failure of port A to the management module 22 of the router 21 through the inter-device communication bus 31. (3) The management module 22 of the router 21 makes the I of port B
The P address is replaced with the relay IP address x. (4) The route from the terminal 42 to the terminal 52 is restored. (5) The routing protocol of the router 11 and the router 21 updates the routing tables 16 and 26 of each router. (6) The route from the terminal 52 to the terminal 42 is restored.

By this series of operations, the terminal 42 and the terminal 5
Communication between the two is restored. A routing table at the time of communication recovery is shown in FIG. The terminal 4 is designated by 102 and 202 in FIG.
The communication path between the terminal 2 and the terminal 52 is as follows. Reach H from G via B and D. Reach G from H via C, E, F, B. Port A (17) has an IP address of a
It is replaced with a new port, and after failure processing, it is restored as a spare port.

Next, a case where a failure occurs in the port C will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 11.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a procedure of path switching when a failure occurs in the port C, and a failure 81 occurs in the port C (18) connected to the network 51 of the routing module 14 of the router 11. Indicates that you have done.
82 indicates that the management module 12 of the router 11 has port C (1
It indicates that the fault 81 of 8) is detected. 83 is the router 1
The management module 12 of No. 1 is connected to the management module 22 of the router 21 via the inter-device communication bus 31, and the port C (18)
The failure 81 is notified. Reference numeral 84 indicates that the management module 22 of the router 21 connects the connection module D (2) of the routing module 24 of the router 22 to the network 51.
It indicates that the IP address of 8) has been changed. Reference numeral 85 indicates a route from the terminal 52 to the terminal 42. 86 is the router 11
Shows that the routing protocol included in the management module 12 has updated the routing table 16. 8
Reference numeral 7 indicates that the routing protocol included in the management module 22 of the router 21 has updated the routing table 26. Reference numeral 88 indicates a route from the terminal 42 to the terminal 52.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents of the routing table after the path switching due to the occurrence of a failure of the port C. 103 is the contents of the routing table 16 generated by the management module 12 of the router 11, and 203 is the router 21. The contents of the routing table 26 generated by the management module 22 of FIG.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 11, port C (18)
The processing flow when a failure occurs in the will be described.

During normal communication before the occurrence of a failure (301), a failure occurs in the router 11 and communication between the terminals 42 and 52 is interrupted (302). Management module 12 of router 11
Identifies the site where the failure has occurred (303), and the router 11
The management module 12 of the router is the management module 2 of the router 21.
2 is notified of the failure (304). According to the identification result of the faulty part (305), since the port C (18) is faulty in this case, the management module 22 of the router 21 moves to the port D (2).
The IP address of 8) is replaced (308), and the route from the terminal 42 to the terminal 52 is restored (309). Further, the routing protocol included in the management module 12 of the router 11 updates the routing table 16, and the routing protocol included in the management module 22 of the router 21 updates the routing table 26 (31
0). By the above processing, the mutual path between the terminal 42 and the terminal 52 is restored (312), and the normal communication state after the communication between the terminal 42 and the terminal 52 is restored (313).

To summarize the above, when a failure occurs in the port C (17), this device performs the following operation by the terminal 42.
The communication between the terminal 52 and the terminal 52 is restored.

(1) The management module 12 of the router 11 detects the failure of the port C. (2) The management module of the router 11 notifies the failure of the port C to the management module 22 of the router 21 through the inter-device communication bus 31. (3) The management module 22 of the router 21 makes the I of port D
The P address is replaced with the relay IP address y. (4) The route from the terminal 52 to the terminal 42 is restored. (5) The routing protocol of the router 11 and the router 21 updates the routing tables 16 and 26 of each router. (6) The route from the terminal 42 to the terminal 52 is restored. This series of operations restores communication between the terminals 42 and 52.

FIG. 8 shows the routing table when communication is restored.
Shown in The terminal 42 and the terminal 5 are designated by 103 and 203 in FIG.
The communication path between the two is as follows. G to A, E,
Reach H via F and D. From H to G via D and B
To reach. You can change the IP address of port C to c,
After failure processing, it is restored as a spare port.

Next, port A (17) and port C (1
A case where a failure occurs in 8) will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11.

FIG. 9 shows port A (17) and port C (1
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a procedure for switching a route when a failure occurs in 8), in which a failure 91 occurs in the port A (17) connected to the network 41 of the routing module 13 of the router 11 and a routing module 14 of the router 11 A failure 92 occurs in the port C (18) connected to the network 51 of FIG. Reference numeral 93 indicates that the management module 12 of the router 11 has detected the failure 91 of the port A (17). 94 is the management module 12 of the router 11.
Indicates that the fault 92 of the port C (18) has been detected.
In 95, the management module 12 of the router 11 notifies the management module 22 of the router 21 via the inter-device communication bus 31 that the failure 91 of the port A (17) and the failure 9 of the port C (18).
2 is notified. 96 is a management module 22 of the router 21 and a routing module 2 of the router 22.
Port B (27) connected to network 41 of 3
Indicates that the IP address has been changed. Reference numeral 97 indicates that the management module 22 of the router 21 has replaced the IP address of the port D (28) connected to the network 51 of the routing module 24 of the router 22.
Reference numeral 98 indicates a route from the terminal 42 to the terminal 52.

FIG. 10 shows port A (17) and port C
(18) is a diagram showing the contents of the routing table after the path switching due to the occurrence of a failure, where 104 is the router 1
1 is the content of the routing table 16 generated by the management module 12; 204 is the management module 2 of the router 21;
2 is the contents of the generated routing table 26.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 11, port A (17)
Also, the processing flow when a failure occurs in the port C (18) will be described.

During normal communication before the occurrence of a failure (301), a failure occurs in the router 11 and communication between the terminals 42 and 52 is interrupted (302). Management module 12 of router 11
Identifies the site where the failure has occurred (303), and the router 11
The management module 12 of the router is the management module 2 of the router 21.
2 is notified of the failure (304). According to the identification result of the failure part (305), since the port A (17) and the port C (18) are failures in this case, the management module 22 of the router 21 replaces the IP address of the port 27 (31).
1). By the above processing, the mutual path between the terminal 42 and the terminal 52 is restored (312), and the normal communication state after the communication between the terminal 42 and the terminal 52 is restored (313).

In summary, when a failure occurs in port A (17) and port C (17), this apparatus restores communication between the terminals 42 and 52 by the following operation.

(1) The management module 12 of the router 11 detects the failure of the port A and the port B. (2) The management module 12 of the router 11 causes the failure of the port A and the port B to pass through the inter-device communication bus 31 to the router 2
1 to the management module 22. (3) The management module 22 of the router 21 sets the IP addresses of the ports B and D to the relay IP address x,
Change to the relay IP address y. (4) The route from the terminals 42 to 52 and the route from the terminal 52 to the terminal 42 are restored. This series of operations restores communication between the terminals 42 and 52.

FIG. 1 shows the routing table when communication is restored.
0 is shown. The communication path between the terminal 42 and the terminal 52 according to 104 and 204 in FIG. 10 is as follows. G to B, D
Reach H via. Reach G from H via D and B. Port A (17) changes IP address to a,
After failure processing, it is restored as a spare port. Port C
In (18), the IP address is changed to c, and after failure processing, it is restored as a spare port.

Next, collection of MIB information when a failure occurs in port A will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the MIB collection procedure when a failure occurs in the port A. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 1201 indicates a failure that has occurred at the port A (17) connected to the network 41 of the routing module 13 of the router 11. Reference numeral 1202 denotes issuing of a MIB collection request from the management terminal 1042 to the relay address x.
Reference numerals 3 and 1204 denote a MIB collection request and its response to the routing module 23 having the relay address x in the router 21 in response to the MIB request 1202. Reference numeral 1205 denotes the MIB control unit 101 of the other router 11.
1206, 120 indicating a MIB collection request to the routing module 13 having the relay address x for 1
Reference numeral 7 denotes a MIB collection request and its response to the routing module 13 having the relay address x in its own router 11. Then, 1208 is the MI from the router 21.
A response to the B request is shown, and 1209 is the management terminal 104.
2 shows a response to the MIB request 1202 from the second example.

The apparatus of this embodiment collects the MIB of the relay address x according to the following procedure. (1) A failure 1201 occurs at port A, port A becomes the alternate system, and port B becomes the active system. (2) The management terminal 1042 MIBs the address x
The acquisition request 1201 is issued. (3) The MIB control unit 1021 receives the MIB request 1202 via the ports I and B. (4) The MIB request 1203 is issued to the routing module 23 having the relay address x in its own router 21. (5) The routing module 23 is the MIB storage unit 10
The MIB response 1204 of No. 22 is transferred to the MIB control unit 1021. (6) The MIB control unit 1021 is the MI of the other router 11.
The MIB request 1205 is issued to the B control unit 1011. (7) The MIB control unit 1011 sends the MI to the routing module 13 having the relay address x in its own router 11.
A B request 1206 is issued. (8) The routing module 13 is the MIB storage unit 10
The 12 MIB responses 1207 are transferred to the MIB transfer unit 1011. (9) The MIB control unit 1011 transfers the MIB response 1208 to the MIB control unit 1021. (10) The MIB control unit 1021 is the MIB storage unit 102.
Based on the MIBs of 2 and 1012, the total communication traffic statistical information of the relay address x is calculated. (11) The MIB control unit 1021 transfers the total communication traffic statistical information 1109 to the management terminal 1042. Through this series of operations, the MIB request for the relay address x can be returned from the management terminal 1042.

As described above, when a failure occurs in each port of the router 11, the IP addresses of the failed working port and the spare port of the router 21 are replaced to allow communication between terminals connected to each network. The route can be restored.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where two networks are connected by the routers of the working and standby duplex configurations and the terminal devices connected to the respective networks communicate with each other has been described. It is needless to say that the same can be applied to the case where communication is performed between terminal devices connected to each network in a configuration in which a single or duplicated router is connected to another network.

Further, in the embodiment, as the internetwork device for connecting the networks, the router for connecting the networks by using the IP address at the network layer level is used. However, the internetworking device is not limited to the router but for connecting the networks. Any network device will do. For example, it may be a bridge that connects networks using a MAC address at the level of the MAC layer, which is a lower sublayer of the data link layer, or a bruta that has both router and bridge functions.

Further, the case of the port failure as the failure of the internetwork apparatus has been described, but it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to the failure of the portion connecting the network and the internetwork apparatus. .

[0060]

According to the present invention, a highly reliable LAN system can be constructed at low cost by realizing the duplication in units of ports. In addition, a terminal that does not have a dynamic routing function or an ARP function can perform communication without being aware of route switching. Further, network management such as collection of statistical information becomes possible without being aware of the redundant configuration.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a communication path during normal communication in the network system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a routing table of each router during normal communication in the network system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a procedure of collecting statistical information during normal communication in the network system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of communication path switching when a failure occurs in port A in the network system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the contents of the routing table of each router after switching the communication path when a failure occurs in port A in the network system of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flow of communication path switching when a failure occurs in the port C in the network system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents of the routing table of each router after switching the communication path when a failure occurs in port C in the network system of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow of communication path switching when a failure occurs in port A and port C in the network system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the contents of a routing table of each router after switching communication paths when a failure occurs in port A and port C in the network system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of communication path route switching when a failure occurs in the network system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a procedure of collecting statistical information when a failure occurs in the port A in the network system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11, 21 ... Router, 12, 22 ... Management module, 1
3, 14, 23, 24 ... Routing module, 1
5, 25 ... Router bus, 16, 26 ... Routing table, 17, 18, 19, 27, 28, 29 ... Port,
31 ... Inter-device communication bus, 41, 51 ... Network, 4
2, 52 ... Terminal.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Norihide Noyama 5-22-1 Kamimizumoto-cho, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo Inside Hitachi Microcomputer System Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tokuhiro Niwa 810 Shimoimaizumi, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Stock Company Hitachi, Ltd. Office Systems Division

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of networks, and first and second internetwork devices that connect the plurality of networks to each other, one of which serves as a working system and the other of which serves as a replacement system when the working system fails. An internetwork in a network system having inter-device communication means for communicating with each other between the first and second internetwork devices and a management terminal for performing network management using management information of each device on the network A device, which uses a routing protocol for dynamically determining a relay path with another internetwork device, and uses a management module and a plurality of connection modules for connecting the internetwork device and each of the plurality of networks. An interface module, wherein the management module is the entire internetwork device Managing means, a relay route selection information table for dynamically determining a relay destination of packet data received from one of the plurality of networks with another internetwork device, and the relay route selection information table And a means for reading the management information of the other internetwork device, wherein each of the plurality of interface modules is connected to at least one of the plurality of networks. 1
And a unit for transmitting / receiving packet data to / from a network connected to the port unit, and a unit for accumulating the management information on the communication of the port unit, and operating as the replacement internetwork device. In this case, the port section of the replacement internetwork apparatus to be replaced when a failure occurs in the port section of the internetwork apparatus operating as the active system, with respect to the network to which the corresponding port section of the active internetwork apparatus is connected. Replacement of the first and second internetwork devices on a port-by-port basis in response to a failure of the port portion of the internetwork device that is connected and operates as an active system of the first and second internetwork devices Failure port of the working system of the internetwork device operating as a system The port unit connected to the network to which the unit is connected operates instead of the faulty port unit of the active system, and in response to a request from the management terminal to collect communication traffic statistical information using the port unit, The active internetwork device returns a response of the total communication traffic statistical information based on the statistical information about the port part of the own device and the statistical information about the corresponding port part of the replacement internetwork device. Internetwork equipment. 2. The port section includes first address information of a network layer including a network number unique to each connection network and a host number unique to the port section, and a second physical layer unique to the port. And operating as the active system of the first and second internetwork devices, the management module further includes fault detection means for the port section in the interface module, A definition information storage unit that indicates the presence or absence of a replacement device having the configuration of the internetwork device at the time of detection, and operates as a replacement system of the first and second internetwork devices via the inter-device communication device at the time of failure detection. Means for notifying the internetworking device of the failure, and the interface module having the failure And a means for disconnecting the port unit from the network, when operating as a replacement system of the first and second internetwork devices, the management module is a replacement system for the active internetwork device. And a failure notification receiving means for receiving information notifying a failure from the active internetwork device when the active internetwork device detects a port failure, and the fault notification. The first address information and the second address information set in the port that is the faulty part of the active internetwork device when the receiving means recognizes the failure of the port part of the active internetwork device Address information of the network layer of the port of the replacement internetwork device and a physical layer unique to the port Internetwork apparatus characterized by having a means for setting as the address information. 3. A plurality of networks, and first and second internetwork devices that connect the plurality of networks to each other, one of which serves as a working system and the other serves as a replacement system in the event of a failure of the working system. A network system having inter-device communication means for communicating with each other between the first and second internetwork devices and a management terminal for performing network management using management information of each device on the network. , Each of the first and second internetwork devices uses a routing protocol for dynamically determining a relay route between the first and second internetwork devices, and includes a management module, the internetwork device, and the plurality of And a plurality of interface modules for connecting to each of the networks, the management module, Means for managing the entire internetwork device; a relay route selection information table for dynamically determining a relay destination of packet data received from one of the plurality of networks with another internetwork device; A routing protocol processing unit for creating a relay route selection information table and a unit for reading out the management information of the other internetwork device, each of the plurality of interface modules being one of the plurality of networks. At least one connected to one
And a means for accumulating the management information on the communication of the port unit, and the replacement internetwork apparatus, The port section of the replacement internetwork apparatus to be replaced when a failure occurs in the port section of the internetwork apparatus operating as the active system is connected to the network to which the corresponding port section of the active internetwork apparatus is connected, For a failure of the port unit of the internetwork device operating as the active system of the first and second internetwork devices, operate as a replacement system of the first and second internetwork devices on a port-by-port basis The fault port of the active system of the internetwork device is connected The port unit connected to the network operates in place of the faulty port unit of the active system, and the active internetwork device responds to a request from the management terminal to collect communication traffic statistical information using the port unit. A network system in which a response of total communication traffic statistical information is returned based on statistical information regarding the port portion of the own device and statistical information regarding the corresponding port portion of the alternate internetwork device. 4. The port section includes first address information of a network layer including a network number unique to each connection network and a host number unique to the port section, and a second physical layer unique to the port. And the management module of the active internetwork device of the first and second internetwork devices,
Furthermore, the failure detection means for the port section in the interface module, the definition information storage means for indicating the presence / absence of a replacement device having the configuration of the internetwork device when the failure is detected, and the inter-device communication means for detecting the failure A means for notifying the internetwork device operating as a replacement system of the first and second internetwork devices of the fault, and means for disconnecting the port part of the interface module in which the fault has occurred from the network, The management module of the replacement internetwork device of the first and second internetwork devices,
Means for storing definition information as a replacement system for the active internetwork device, and information for notifying a failure from the active internetwork device when the active internetwork device detects a port failure. Receiving means for receiving a fault notification and the first port which has been set to a port which is a faulty part of the active internetwork apparatus when the fault notification receiving means recognizes a fault in the port section of the active internetwork apparatus. A network system having address information and the second address information as address information of a network layer of the port of the alternate internetwork device and means for setting address information of a physical layer unique to the port. . 5. The active internetwork apparatus uses an address value other than the first and second address information originally set on the network connection for the port section disconnected from the network due to the occurrence of a failure. Of the network layer address and the physical layer address information peculiar to the port are reset, and when a failure occurs in the port section, the corresponding port of the replacement internetwork device operates as the active system. Later, when the faulty port is repaired and restored, by reconnecting to the network with a different address by the address information resetting means, the active internetwork device becomes an alternate system after the active switching. A network system featuring.