JPH1023097A - Method for provision for a plurality of protocol versions - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the method for an exchange, having provision for increase in number of protocol versions easily and also provision for diversified communication services flexibly, due to the increased protocol versions. SOLUTION: The method has a protocol version table 2, storing protocol characteristic data to specify a protocol version of a communication opposite station and a station information table 1 storing station information, including a protocol version number used by the communication opposite station. In the case of making a communication, a protocol version number is acquired from the station information table 1 by an identifier of the communication opposite station, and the protocol characteristic data of the communication opposite station are acquired from the protocol version table 2 for allowing the method to cope with the protocol version.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for handling a plurality of protocol versions of an exchange, and more particularly to a method for handling a plurality of protocol versions which can be easily handled when a new station is installed in a network or a protocol of an existing station is changed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to systematically construct a network, an overall network configuration (network architecture) and an individual communication protocol, that is, a protocol are required.

[0003] This protocol strictly defines the format, procedure, timing, etc. of various kinds of control information related to communication, and stations communicating with each other cannot communicate unless they follow the same protocol.

[0004] As described above, the protocol strictly defines various characteristics such as the format, procedure, and timing of various kinds of control information relating to communication. Therefore, in order to define one protocol, a plurality of these types of control information are required. It is defined by data designating each of the characteristics (hereinafter referred to as protocol characteristics), that is, a plurality of pieces of protocol characteristic data.

[0005] Among the plurality of protocol characteristic data, 1
Protocols having at least different protocol characteristic data constitute different protocols, which are called different protocol versions.

[0006] Therefore, initially, considering that stations communicating with each other cannot communicate unless they have the same protocol version, a single protocol version is determined for a network. This was done according to the only protocol version. Thus, the communication services provided by this network were limited by this unique protocol version.

However, in order to cope with the diversification of communication services, a single protocol version is not sufficient for the network, and there is a need for a plurality of protocol versions for the network. The following method is used for this purpose.

As shown in FIG. 3, a conventional method for handling a plurality of protocol versions is to transfer a plurality of protocol characteristic data constituting a protocol version used by each station in a network to a plurality of common protocol characteristics common to each station in the network. Network common protocol characteristic data 30 composed of data
And a plurality of individual protocol characteristic data (generally, extremely less than the number of common protocol characteristic data) different depending on the station, and a switch installed in the network provides a plurality of common protocol characteristic data (common to the network) to the exchange installed in the network. In addition to preparing common protocol characteristic data 1 to k) in the example, individual protocol characteristic data (in the example, individual protocol characteristic data 1 and 2) for each partner station with which this exchange communicates is included in the station information of the station, and the station information 31 is included. The station information table 31 stored as −n is prepared to cope with the situation.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 4, when this installed exchange performs communication (step 401), the communication partner station is read from the station information table 31 using the station identifier of the communication partner station as a key. Obtain individual protocol characteristic data 1 and 2 from the station information 31-n of step (4).
02), network common protocol characteristic data 30 of the own station
At the same time, the protocol version required for communication with the partner station is determined (step 403), and the communication is performed (step 404).

[0010]

In the above-mentioned conventional method for handling a plurality of protocol versions, a plurality of protocol characteristic data constituting a protocol version is different for each station from a plurality of common protocol characteristic data common to each station in the network. Classified into multiple individual protocol characteristic data,
Since a station information table that stores individual protocol characteristic data in the station information is prepared and handled, communication services have been diversified, and characteristics that were conventionally common protocol characteristic data have been handled as individual protocol characteristic data. If it becomes necessary to do so (corresponding to an increase in the number of protocol versions), in addition to having to rearrange the protocol characteristic data, the program for performing communication processing using the station information table, etc., must be significantly increased. Has the disadvantage that it must be changed to

Further, the station information table needs to store all the station information of the communicable destinations. Therefore, a large storage capacity is required to store the individual protocol characteristic data which may increase. Has the disadvantage that

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for handling a plurality of protocol versions of an exchange, which can easily cope with an increase in the number of protocol versions and can flexibly cope with diversification of communication services due to the increase in protocol versions. .

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for handling a plurality of protocol versions, comprising: a protocol version table for storing, for each protocol version, protocol characteristic data defining a protocol version used by a communication partner station; A station information table for storing station information of a communication partner station including a protocol version identifier for specifying a protocol version to be used is prepared, and at the time of communication, the station information table is identified from the station information table by a communication partner station identifier for specifying the communication partner station. A protocol version identifier for specifying a protocol version used by the communication partner station is obtained, and the protocol characteristic data for defining the protocol version used by the communication partner station by the obtained protocol version identifier from the protocol version table. In response're getting.

[0014] A method for handling multiple protocol versions according to a second invention is the method for handling multiple protocol versions according to the first invention, wherein a protocol version table memory storing respective protocol version tables of a plurality of communication networks and the plurality of communication networks are provided. A station information table memory for storing the respective station information tables, a protocol version table identifier for specifying the respective protocol version tables of the plurality of communication networks, and a station information table for specifying the respective station information tables of the plurality of communication networks And a network information table including an identifier, and at the time of communication, a station information table identifier of a station information table used by the previous communication partner network from said network information table by a communication partner network identifier for specifying a communication network to which a communication partner station belongs. And protocol version A protocol version table identifier of the communication table, a station information table used by the communication partner network by the obtained station information table identifier from the station information table memory, and the obtained protocol version table identifier from the protocol version memory. , A protocol version table used by the communication partner network is acquired, and the acquired station information table and the protocol version table correspond to each other.

[0015]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a method for handling multiple protocol versions according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) shows a data storage diagram of a table used in the method for handling multiple protocol versions according to this embodiment. 4B is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the method for handling multiple protocol versions according to the present embodiment.

In the method for handling a plurality of protocol versions according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, a station information table 1 and a protocol version table 2 are prepared.
As shown in (b), when there is a communication request, first, a step of acquiring the protocol version number used by the partner station from the station information table 1 using the partner station identifier as a key, and using the acquired protocol version as a key. And obtaining protocol characteristic data from the protocol version table 2.

The protocol version table 2 stores the protocol characteristic data of all the protocol versions used in each station in the network which is installed on the network and is the communication partner. If the number of types of protocol versions used in the network is M, a set of all protocol characteristic data that defines each of the M types of protocol versions is stored. A series of numbers is assigned to the M types of protocol versions, which are the protocol version numbers for this network,
That is, it is a protocol version identifier for specifying the protocol version of this network.

Therefore, in the method for handling a plurality of protocol versions according to the present embodiment, if all the protocol characteristic data constituting the protocol version are the same, that is, if the networks differ even if the protocol version is the same,
The protocol version number, which is the identifier of the protocol version, may be different.

In this way, the protocol version table 2 can be used to retrieve all the protocol characteristic data constituting the protocol version using the protocol version number as a key.

The station information table 1 is a table which stores information about each station in the network which is installed on the network and which is a communication partner, and specifies a protocol version used by the station in a part of the information. Protocol version identifier, that is, a protocol version number.

To obtain station information including the protocol version number of the communication partner station from the station information table 1, a search can be performed using a station identifier which is an identifier for specifying the communication partner station as a key.

As described above, since the station information table 1 stores the station information of all the stations to be communicated with, the amount of information per station is limited by the storage capacity of the station information table 1. Become. In the station information table 1 used in the method of supporting a plurality of protocol versions according to the present embodiment, the station information relating to the protocol is only the protocol version number, and the storage information amount relating to the protocol is much smaller than the station information table 31 of the conventional method. Has become.

Next, the operation of the method for handling a plurality of protocol versions according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

A protocol version table 2 in which protocol characteristic data of all protocol versions installed in the network and used by each station in the communication partner network are stored in advance in the order of the protocol version number specifying the protocol version; A station information table 1 for storing a protocol version number of a protocol used by each station and other station information using a station identifier as a key.
And are prepared.

When there is a communication request (step 10
1) Recognizing the partner station identifier of the communication partner station from the request contents, searching for the station information of the partner station from the station information table 1 using the partner station identifier as a key, and searching for the partner included in a part of the station information. The protocol version number of the protocol to be used is obtained (step 102).

Next, the protocol characteristic data constituting the protocol used by the partner station is acquired from the protocol version table 2 based on the acquired protocol version number, the protocol is determined (step 103), and the communication process is performed according to this (step 103). Step 104).

As described above, the protocol is determined by using the station information table 1 and the protocol version table 2 so as to correspond to a plurality of protocols. It can easily respond to changes and the like.

When a station is newly established in the network and the protocol used by the station is a new protocol version, a set of protocol characteristic data constituting the station is registered in the protocol version table 2 of each station and registered. Subsequently, a new protocol version number may be numbered and registered in the station information table 1 of each station, including the newly set protocol version number as a part of the newly established station information.

If the protocol used by the new station uses the existing protocol version, it is not necessary to change the protocol version table 2 in each station, and the new station information is stored in the station information table 1 in each station. May be registered as part of the existing protocol version number used by the station.

Further, when the protocol version of the existing station is changed, all of the protocol characteristic data constituting the changed protocol version have the protocol characteristics corresponding to the protocol version number already set in this network. When all the data are the same, there is no need to change the protocol version table 2 in particular, and the station information table 1 in each station uses the protocol version number in a part of the station information of the changed station. What is necessary is just to change to the existing protocol version number.

When the protocol version of the existing station is changed, the protocol characteristic data that constitutes the changed protocol version includes one piece of protocol characteristic data corresponding to the protocol version number already set in this network. However, when they are different, a set of protocol characteristic data constituting the changed protocol version is stored in the protocol version table 2 in each station.
The new protocol version number is assigned to a new protocol version number, and a new protocol version number is set in the station information table 1 of each station. Change it to a number.

As described above, the method for handling a plurality of protocol versions according to the present embodiment uses the station information table 1 and the protocol version table 2 to newly establish a station, change a protocol due to diversification of communication, and the like. It can be easily handled.

In the above description of the method for handling a plurality of protocol versions according to the present embodiment, a method for handling within one network has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a case where there are a plurality of communication networks and inter-station communication is performed between the communication networks.

That is, the station information table 1 may store all the station information of the stations to be communication partners (including not only stations in the same network but also stations in different networks).
In addition, the protocol version table 2 can store and handle all protocol versions of the station to be communicated with.

When the station information table 1 and the protocol version table 2 are limited for each network, the following can be dealt with.

That is, in such a case, a network information table 4 as shown in FIG. 2, a station information table storage unit 5 for storing a station information table for each network, and a protocol version table for each network are stored. A protocol version table storage unit 6 is provided. The information stored in the network information table 4 is network information 4 for each network.
k, and the network information 4-k is a station information table number which is an identifier of a station information table storing station information of the network and a protocol version table storing all versions of the protocol version of the network. It is composed of a protocol version table number as an identifier and other network information.

Therefore, when communicating with a station on a different network, the network information table 4 uses the network identifier (identifier for identifying the network to which the communicating partner station belongs) as a key to determine the station information table number of the partner network. And a protocol version table number, and using these as a key, the station information table and the protocol version table of the partner network are obtained from the station information table storage unit 5 and the protocol version table storage unit 6. As described above, the following procedure may be performed according to the flowchart of FIG. 1B, as described in the method for handling a plurality of protocol versions according to the present embodiment.

[0039]

As described above, the method for handling a plurality of protocol versions according to the present invention makes it possible to easily establish a new station, change the protocol due to diversification of communication, etc. by using the station information table and the protocol version table. This has the effect of being able to respond.

Further, there is an effect that the storage capacity relating to the protocol of the station information table can be remarkably reduced as compared with the related art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a method for handling multiple protocol versions according to the present invention, wherein (a) is a data storage diagram of a usage table, and (b) is a flowchart showing operations.

FIG. 2 is a data storage diagram of a table used in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a data storage diagram of a use table of a conventional method for handling multiple protocol versions.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a conventional method for handling multiple protocol versions.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 31 station information table 1-n, 31-n station information 2 protocol version table 2-m protocol characteristic data 4 network information table 4-k network information 5 station information table storage unit 6 protocol version table storage unit 30 network common protocol Characteristic data 101 to 104, 401 to 404 Flow chart steps

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A protocol version table storing protocol characteristic data defining a protocol version used by a communication partner station for each protocol version, and a protocol version identifier specifying a protocol version used by the communication partner station. A station information table for storing station information is prepared, and at the time of communication, a protocol version identifier for specifying a protocol version used by the communication partner station is obtained from the station information table based on the communication partner station identifier for specifying the communication partner station. A plurality of protocol version data, wherein protocol property data defining a protocol version used by a communication partner station is obtained from the protocol version table according to the obtained protocol version identifier. Method. 2. A protocol version table memory for storing a protocol version table of each of a plurality of communication networks, a station information table memory for storing a station information table of each of the plurality of communication networks, and a respective one of the plurality of communication networks. A network information table including a protocol version table identifier for specifying a protocol version table and a station information table identifier for specifying a station information table for each of the plurality of communication networks is prepared. A station information table identifier of a station information table used by a previous communication partner network and a protocol version table identifier of a protocol version table are obtained from the network information table by the communication partner network identifier specifying the communication partner network identifier, and the acquisition is performed from the station information table memory. Station information A station information table used by the communication partner network is obtained by a table identifier, a protocol version table used by the communication partner network is obtained from the protocol version memory by the obtained protocol version table identifier, and the obtained station information table and protocol are obtained. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the correspondence is made with a version table.