KR100500114B1 - Independent network control device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and a method for continuously transmitting and receiving data on the network by bypassing the device even when the power supply to the device for transmitting and receiving data on the network is interrupted. An apparatus according to the present invention includes a receiving means for receiving a power signal and a data signal for driving the control device from a host, and an internal portion of the control device for transmitting and receiving the data on a network when power is normally supplied to the host. A normal route path, a bypass route path inside the controller for transmitting and receiving the data on a network when power is not normally supplied to the host, and determining whether the host can process data normally. A microprocessor, and if the host is powered and the host can process the data normally, continuously providing the data to the host through the normal route path, and the host is not powered or the host If you can not normally process data is to bypass the host via the by-pass route path, the data is configured to include a relay circuit to continue to provide to the network.

Description

INDEPENDENT NETWORK CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD}

The present invention relates to a network control apparatus and method, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for continuously transmitting and receiving data on the network by bypassing the apparatus even when power supply to the apparatus for transmitting and receiving data on the network is interrupted.

In general, the bypass function (By-Pass functionality) means that the current equipment is due to the supply of power to one of the devices while the network devices are transmitting and receiving traffic through a predetermined dedicated interface, etc. Even if it is unable to perform the function, the traffic can be continuously transmitted and received by bypassing the bypass interface.

Currently, a wide area network (hereinafter, referred to as a WAN) is connected to a large number of network devices to transmit and receive data with each other. When power is not supplied to such network equipment or an error occurs in the power supply, the network equipment cannot transmit or receive data through the WAN interface. If a network, a company, a school, or a public office, fails to handle traffic due to a failure of a network equipment or a cut off of a power supply, significant time or material loss may occur. This time or material loss can be reduced by urgently sending and receiving data using the bypass function during the repair or replacement of equipment.

1 is a diagram illustrating a bypassing process by a conventional peripheral component interconnect (PCI) -based bypassing device.

Referring to FIG. 1, in step 102, the bypassing device may receive a clock signal from a clock generator (not shown) of a network device (hereinafter, referred to as a 'host') on which the bypassing device is mounted. When it works.

In step 104, the bypassing device queries the watchdog 10 for a power supply state to the host and obtains power supply state information from the watch device 10. In this process, the bypassing device determines whether the power supply is continuous. Here, the monitoring device 10 is a device for checking general performance of the host, and maintains state information of the power supply device.

In step 106, when the power is continuously supplied as a result of the determination of step 104, each link is connected between the network chipset and the input / output bus (hereinafter referred to as 'I / O') of the interface. do. At this time, when the power supply is switched from the OFF state to the ON state, a connection is formed between the network chipset and the I / O bus of each interface. In the case where the power is continuously supplied (ON), no interference is caused to the traffic flow.

In step 108, when the supply of power is stopped (OFF) as a result of the determination of step 104, two adjacent Ethernet interfaces are connected to bypass the traffic.

2 is a power supply state determination apparatus according to a conventional method.

First, a voltage of 110V or 220V is supplied from the power supply 210. The 110V or 220V voltage is converted into a 5V voltage by the voltage converter 220 and then input to the power supply determination device 240. The constant voltage source (eg, 5V battery) 230 continuously outputs a voltage 5V of a predetermined magnitude. The constant voltage source 230 provides a voltage having the same magnitude to the power supply determination device 240 so as to determine whether a voltage of 5 V is continuously output from the voltage converter 220. The power supply determination device 240 notifies the monitoring device 10 that power is continuously supplied when both inputs are 5V, that is, when a voltage of 5V is continuously supplied from the voltage converter 220. do. However, when the output from the voltage converter 220 of the two inputs is 0, that is, when the voltage of 5V is supplied from the constant voltage source 230 but no voltage is supplied from the voltage converter, the monitoring device 10 Notify the current supply of power is interrupted.

However, the conventional PCI-based bypassing device operating as described above has the following problems. When the PCI-based bypassing device is provided in the form of a PCI network card, the PCI-based bypassing device may be used only for a device supporting PCI, and the size of the card is fixed so that it is not suitable for small network devices. In addition, a special device driver must be supported according to an operating system (hereinafter referred to as 'OS') operating in each network device. In addition, when the PCI-based bypassing device is provided in a form of being embedded in a specific network device, compatibility with other similar devices is insufficient. In addition, the conventional bypassing device switches to the bypass function when the power supply is cut off, and then the network equipment (for example, the router) is operated by the OS even if it returns to the normal network connection state when the power is supplied again. You must boot again. Therefore, the OS booting takes a lot of time, and as a result, there is a problem that the function recovery of the entire network equipment is delayed.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems has a bypass function to the host independently of the operating system of the host having a power for driving from the host and a data signal for determining whether the host is operating normally It is to provide an apparatus and method for providing a.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for providing MDI or MDX functions to the host according to a user's input and visually displaying them for each port.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of notifying a host to which the control apparatus is connected whether the bypass function or the MDI / MDX function is set, and recording a result of the operation and outputting it to a screen.

Independent network control apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object

Receiving means for receiving a power and data signal for driving the control device from the host;

A normal route path for continuously providing the data on the network through the host;

A bypass route path for continuously providing the data on the network by bypassing the host;

A microprocessor that determines whether the host can process data normally;

When power is supplied to the host and the host can process data normally, the data is provided through the normal route path, and when the power is not supplied to the host or the host cannot process data normally. It includes a relay circuit for providing the data through the bypass route path.

In addition, another independent network control device according to the present invention for achieving the above object, wherein the normal route path is the I / O bus for each of the internal network interface of the control device and the I / O for the external network interface It is characterized by being formed by directly coupling the bus.

In addition, another independent network control apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object, wherein the bypass route path is the I / O bus of the predetermined network interface and the I / O of the predetermined network interface in the control apparatus; Formed by cross-connecting an I / O bus of a selected network interface other than O.

In addition, in another independent network control apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the relay circuit, and a coil for generating an electromagnetic attraction according to the change of the current flowing therein,

A tamping diode connected in parallel with the coil and configured to determine a direction of a current flowing in a predetermined direction with respect to the coil;

Switching means for forming the bypass route path using electromagnetic attraction when a current passes through the coil, and switching to form the normal route path using a restoring force of a spring when current does not pass through the coil. It is characterized by.

In addition, another independent network control apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the microprocessor for determining whether the MDI or MDX function according to the user input and set the MDI or MDX function;

And display means for visually displaying whether each port of the control device is the MDI or MDX function.

In addition, another independent network control apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object, notifying the host to which the control device is connected whether the bypass function or the MDI / MDX function is set, the operation result is recorded and displayed on the screen Reporting means for outputting is further included.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that reference numerals and like elements among the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and symbols as much as possible even though they are shown in different drawings. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

3 is a diagram illustrating an independent network control (INC) device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, an INC (Independent Network Controller) device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a function input unit 310, a front panel 320, and a bypass unit. 330, a microprocessor 340, and a server application 350 may be added separately.

The INC device 300 is connected to the host 360, and 5V power is supplied from the host 360 to the bypass unit 330 and the microprocessor 340. In addition, a data channel signal of the host 360 is input to the microprocessor 340 to determine whether the host 360 can normally handle traffic. The function input unit 310 may selectively input a function desired by a user, that is, a bypass function or an MDI / MDX function to each of a plurality of ports configured in the INC device 300. Here, MDI (Medium Dependent Interface: referred to as 'MDI') refers to a medium-dependent interface connected using a straight-through cable, and MDX (Medium Dependent Interface with CrossOver: referred to as 'MDX'). Refers to that the MDI is connected using a cross cable. The function input unit 310 is connected to the front panel 320, and the front panel 320 indicates to the INC device 300 that an MDI / MDX function has been input. In this case, the INC device 300 includes a means for visually displaying the operating state of the bypass function or the MDI / MDX function for each of the plurality of ports.

The front panel 320 is connected to the bypass unit 330 and the microprocessor 340. When the bypass function is input to the function input unit 310, the bypass unit 330 checks the bypass function input and sets a bypass function to the corresponding port. Thereafter, the bypass unit 330 transmits the configuration information to the server application 350 via the microprocessor 340. In addition, the bypass unit 330 transmits the setting information on the bypass function to the server application 350 so that a predetermined server can manage the storage and display on the screen.

When the MDI / MDX function is input to the function input unit 310, the output of the function input unit 310 is transmitted to the microprocessor 340. The microprocessor 340 checks the MDI / MDX function input, and sets the MDI / MDX function in the corresponding port. Thereafter, the microprocessor 340 transmits the setting information of the MDI / MDX function to the server application 350 so that a predetermined server can manage the storage and screen display. The server application 350 may be installed in a network device desired by the user, but is preferably installed in the host 360. Hereinafter, operations of the front panel 320, the bypass unit 330, the microprocessor 340, and the server application 350 will be described in detail.

4 is a view showing an operation of the front panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in operation 402, a function that a user wants to set is input to the function input unit.

In step 404, the front panel determines whether the input function is a bypass function or an MDI / MDX function.

In operation 406, when the bypass function is input, the front panel transmits the input information to the bypass unit so that the bypass function is set.

In step 408, when the MDI / MDX function, that is, the interface function is input, the front panel visually distinguishes between the case where the input is an MDI function and the case where the MDX function is displayed on the INC device. At this time, it is possible to display on the INC device using a light emitting diode (LED).

In step 410, the front panel transmits the input information to the microprocessor so that the MDI / MDX function is set.

5 is a view illustrating an operation process of the bypass unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, in step 502, an INC device is connected to a host, and 5 V of power is input from a main power supply of the host. In this case, since the INC device uses only 5V of power from the hosting device for driving, the INC device has high energy efficiency.

In step 504, a normal route path is established by connecting an internal network interface of the INC device to an external network interface. Here, the normal route path is formed by directly combining each I / O bus for all internal network interfaces of the INC device with an I / O bus for an external network interface.

In operation 506, the bypass function input value input by the user to the function input unit is read. In this case, it indicates that the bypass function has been input for the corresponding specific port on the INC device, and the input value is stored.

In step 508, a bypass route path is set for a specific port according to the bypass function input value input to the bypass function input unit. Wherein a bypass route path is formed by cross-connecting an I / O bus of a given network interface inside the INC device with an I / O bus of a selected network interface other than the I / O of the given network interface. do.

In operation 510, the server application is notified of the bypass function setting result so that the operation result is recorded and output on the screen.

In step 512, it is determined whether a bypass function is additionally input to the INC device. As a result of the determination, if the bypass function is additionally inputted, steps 506 to 510 are repeated. However, if the bypass function is not additionally input as a result of the determination, step 514 is performed.

In step 514, the power supply state is determined for the host connected to the INC device. If power is normally supplied to the host, step 516 is performed. Otherwise, step 520 is performed.

In step 516, it is determined whether the host can normally handle traffic. In this case, the process of determining whether the host is normally operated may be determined by the microprocessor inside the INC device using the data channel signal input from the host.

In step 518, if the host can process traffic normally, as a result of the determination in step 516, the INC device continuously provides traffic to the host through the normal route path.

In step 520, when the power is not normally supplied to the host as a result of determination in step 514, or when the host cannot process traffic normally as a result of the determination in step 516, the INC device transmits the traffic. After changing the path from the normal route path to the bypass route path, the bypass route path bypasses the host to continuously provide traffic on the network. By such a step, the INC device can prevent the loss of data by continuously providing traffic on the network even when no power is supplied to the host device or an error occurs in the power supply device.

5A is a relay circuit applied to a bypass unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the relay circuit consists of a tamping diode 540, a coil 542, a switch 544 and a spring (not shown). The tamping diode 540 has a strong resistance to the current flowing in a predetermined direction, and has a very weak resistance in the opposite direction. The tamping diode 540 is used to determine the direction of the current flowing in a predetermined direction and is connected to the contacts 85 and 86. The position of the tamping diode 540 is important because the relay circuit has the property that the relay circuit can revert its position when current is allowed to flow in both directions. In addition, the coil 542 is connected in parallel to the tamping diode 540. The coil 542 generates an electromagnetic attraction according to a change in the current flowing through the coil. Until the current passes through the coil 542, the switch 544 connected to the spring is connected to the first contact 87A to form a normal route path. Then, when current passes through the coil 542, the switch 544 is separated from the first contact 87A by electromagnetic attraction, and then connected to the second contact 87 to form a bypass route path. do. When the current does not flow through the coil 542, the switch 544 returns to the first contact 87A by the restoring force of the spring. By using the relay circuit operated by the electromagnetic attraction as described above, when the power supply of the host is cut off with only 5V of power input from the host without a separate constant voltage source, it is easily moved from the normal route path to the bypass path. It will be able to bypass traffic.

 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation process of a microprocessor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in step 602, an INC device is connected to a host, and 5V power is input from the host.

In step 604, the MDI / MDX function inputted by the user to the function input unit, that is, the interface mode input value, is read. At this time, the MDI / MDX function is visually displayed for the corresponding specific port on the INC device, and the input value is stored in the EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

In step 606, it is determined whether the interface mode input value is an MDI function or an MDX function.

In step 608, if the interface mode input value is the MDI function, the MDI interface is set.

In step 610, if the interface mode input value is the MDX function, the MDX interface is set in step 606.

In operation 612, the server application is notified of the result of setting the MDI / MDX function so that the operation result is recorded and output on the screen. At this time, the microprocessor notifies the server application of the result using a parallel interface as a communication channel means.

In step 614, it is determined whether an MDI / MDX function is additionally input to the INC device. As a result of the determination, when the MDI / MDX function is additionally inputted, steps 604 to 612 are repeated. However, if the bypass function is not additionally input as a result of the determination, the procedure ends.

7 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a server application according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the server application is started in step 702. The server application is typically installed on the network device desired by the user, but is preferably installed on the host. At this time, the host may send a signal for the data channel of the host to the INC device, the INC device may detect the signal for the data channel to determine whether or not the normal operation of the host.

In step 704, the server application continuously examines signals input from all communication channels (parallel port communicator, telnet, web, etc.) and receives read or write requests from the communication channels.

In step 706, it is determined whether there is a read request. At this time, the server application continuously receives a request using a block read processor that does not occupy the computational time of the central processing unit (CPU).

In step 708, it is determined whether a request input from the communication channels is a write request. At this time, the write request is input through the parallel port.

In step 710, the write request is processed, and then step 716 is performed.

In operation 712, the processing result of the write request is stored in a flash storage device, and then operation 714 is performed.

In step 714, the read request is processed.

In step 716, the processing result of the read / write request is displayed on the screen. In this case, the processing result may be displayed as 'processing success' or 'processing failure', and a message record may be generated. The screen processing format is controlled before the screen display and displayed on the screen for easy identification by the user.

Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the claims below, but also by those equivalent to the claims.

According to the present invention as described above, by providing a bypass function to the host independent of the operating system of the host, there is a compatibility that can be installed and operated on any network equipment.

In addition, according to the present invention, by providing a bypass function using an electric circuit and a simple IC chip, the device can be miniaturized as compared with the bypass device by complicated hardware and software.

In addition, according to the present invention, by providing a bypass function by using an electrical circuit and a simple IC chip can be manufactured and sold at a low cost to improve the survivability of data on the network by providing a bypass function to all network equipment.

1 is a diagram illustrating a bypassing process by a conventional PCI-based bypassing device;

2 is a power supply state determination apparatus according to a conventional method,

3 is an independent network control (INC) device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a view showing an operation of the front panel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a view showing an operation of the bypass unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a view showing an operation of a microprocessor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a server application according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

300: independent network control (INC) device 310: function input unit

320: front panel 330: bypass unit

340: microprocessor 350: server application

Claims (12)

In the independent network control apparatus for bypassing the host to continuously transmit and receive the data on the network even if the power supply to the host transmitting and receiving data on the network is interrupted, Receiving means for receiving a power and data signal for driving the control device from the host; A normal route path for continuously providing the data on the network through the host; A bypass route path for continuously providing the data on the network by bypassing the host; A microprocessor that determines whether the host can process data normally; and When power is supplied to the host and the host can process data normally, the data is provided through the normal route path, and when the power is not supplied to the host or the host cannot process data normally. And a relay circuit for providing the data through the bypass route path. 2. The independent network control of claim 1, wherein the normal route path is formed by directly coupling each I / O bus for all internal network interfaces of the control device and the I / O bus for an external network interface. Device. The network of claim 1, wherein the bypass route path crosses an I / O bus of a predetermined network interface inside the control device and an I / O bus of a selected network interface other than the I / O of the predetermined network interface. Independent network control device, characterized in that formed by connecting. The method of claim 1, wherein the relay circuit, A coil for generating electromagnetic attraction according to a change in current flowing therein; A tamping diode connected in parallel with the coil and configured to determine a direction of a current flowing in a predetermined direction with respect to the coil; and Switching means for forming the bypass route path using electromagnetic attraction when a current passes through the coil, and switching to form the normal route path using a restoring force of a spring when current does not pass through the coil. Independent network control device, characterized in that. The microprocessor of claim 1, further comprising: a microprocessor configured to determine whether the MDI or MDX function is set according to a user input and set the MDI or MDX function; And means for visually displaying whether each port of the control device is the MDI or MDX function. The apparatus of claim 1 or 5, further comprising: reporting means for notifying a host to which the control apparatus is connected whether the bypass function or the MDI / MDX function is set, so that the operation result is recorded and displayed on the screen. Independent network control device. In the independent network control method for bypassing the host so that the data is continuously transmitted and received on the network even if the power supply to the host transmitting and receiving data on the network is interrupted, Receiving a power and data signal for driving from the host; A power supply state determination step of determining whether power is supplied to the host; A data determination step of determining whether the host can process data normally; Continuously providing the data to the host through a normal route path using a relay circuit when power is supplied to the host and the host can normally process data; and If the host is not powered or the host cannot process data normally, using the relay circuit, bypassing the host through a bypass route path and continuously providing the data on a network. Independent network control method, characterized in that. 8. The independent network control of claim 7, wherein the normal route path is formed by directly coupling each I / O bus for all internal network interfaces of the control device and the I / O bus for an external network interface. Way. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the bypass route path crosses an I / O bus of a predetermined network interface inside the control device and an I / O bus of a selected network interface other than the I / O of the predetermined network interface. Independent network control method, characterized in that formed by connecting. The method of claim 7, wherein the relay circuit, A coil for generating electromagnetic attraction according to a change in current flowing therein; A tamping diode connected in parallel with the coil and configured to determine a direction of a current flowing in a predetermined direction with respect to the coil; and Switching means for forming the bypass route path using electromagnetic attraction when a current passes through the coil, and switching to form the normal route path using a restoring force of a spring when current does not pass through the coil. Independent network control method, characterized in that. The method of claim 7, further comprising: setting an MDI or MDX function by determining whether the MDI or MDX function is input according to a user input; And visually indicating whether each port of the control device is the MDI or MDX function. 12. The independent network control method of claim 7 or 11, further comprising notifying a host whether the bypass function or the MDI / MDX function is set, and recording a result of the operation and outputting the result to a screen.