KR101130747B1 - Network interface switching system and method for switching network interface using the system - Google Patents

Abstract

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a network interface switching system includes a user application module for executing a user application program to provide the network service to the first network interface, and the interface through an interface connection layer (ICL). Determine the connection state of the first and second network interfaces, and if the connection state of the first network interface changes, the first network interface corresponding to the connection state changed in the first network interface according to a request of the user application module; And a network interface switching management module for switching to two network interfaces and managing a communication environment so that transmission of the network service is not persistent.

Description

Network Interface Switching System and Network Interface Switching Method {NETWORK INTERFACE SWITCHING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SWITCHING NETWORK INTERFACE USING THE SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a network interface switching system and a network interface switching method, and more particularly, to a network interface switching system and a network interface switching method capable of selecting and using a plurality of network interfaces.

The communication service in the system having the conventional network interface has a structure that decides which communication interface to use for the communication protocol driver when each service is started, and continuously uses the method defined once. It converts to other communication network interface only when it is not available.

1 is a structure of a system using a communication network interface according to the prior art.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system is configured such that a communication protocol driver included in a system kernel supports a communication by using a network device driver with each device driver for each communication network interface hardware. In order to perform data transmission communication, the communication protocol driver of the system is assigned a unique IP that can distinguish the system from the network, and the service can communicate with other systems in the network through the assigned IP. At this time, the IP assigned to the system in the network and the IP used in the service is the same.

2 is a structure of an existing system equipped with a plurality of network interfaces in one system.

Referring to FIG. 2, when using a plurality of network interfaces in a system, a device driver for each hardware is installed, and a communication protocol driver of the system has a unique IP for each network interface in association with each device driver. . The system communicates with the external network through as many IPs as the network interface, and the service communicates with the external network according to the priority of the IP provided by the system.

As shown in FIG. 2, each service can use only one network interface among a plurality of network interfaces installed in the system, and data communication can be continued only by changing the network interface used when transmission is not normally performed. At this time, there is a problem that the service is stopped and continuous service cannot be provided, and the service is restarted because the IP used by the service is changed.

In addition, the use of one communication method has a disadvantage in that the service is limited to a transmission distance, a transmission speed, a range of transmission data, and the like of the communication method. For example, in the case of ITS and telematics service, the required transmission rate, data transmission amount, transmission range, etc. are all different for each service. In case of using the existing structure, there is a disadvantage that a separate network environment must be constructed for each of these services.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a network interface switching system capable of providing a continuous service by stopping the service by selectively using a plurality of network interfaces according to the type and purpose of the service.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a network interface switching method using the system.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a network interface switching system includes a user application module for executing a user application program to provide the network service to the first network interface, and the interface through an interface connection layer (ICL). Determine the connection state of the first and second network interfaces, and if the connection state of the first network interface changes, the first network interface corresponding to the connection state changed in the first network interface according to a request of the user application module; And a network interface switching management module for switching to two network interfaces and managing a communication environment so that transmission of the network service is not persistent.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network interface switching method comprising: requesting, by the user application module, a network interface switching to the network interface switching management module, and in response to the request, the network interface switching management module includes an interface connection layer ( Switching to another network interface having a better connection state than the connection state of the currently connected network interface based on the connection state information of each of the plurality of network interfaces obtained from an interface connection layer (ICL); Resetting the communication path to the switched other network interface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network interface switching method comprising: initializing the interface connection layer by the network interface switching system, performing a stability test on all currently connected network interfaces among the plurality of network interfaces; Selecting one network interface among the currently connected network interfaces as a priority according to the test result, activating the network interface selected as the priority using the interface connection layer, and When the connection state of the network interface changes, the current connected network interface is deactivated, and the connection state of the currently connected network interface among the remaining currently connected network interfaces is changed. Activating another network interface having a better connection than the other state and providing the network service to the activated other network interface.

According to the present invention, an application service using various communication methods such as ITS, telematics, and ubiquitous overcomes the disadvantages of the conventional method, which requires the use of several types of communication methods. Accordingly, a plurality of network interface devices are used to enable a desired application service. Since each application service can use multiple network interfaces freely, it is possible to support continuous application service even in a communication environment where each communication service is not smooth, and to support new application service using the existing network environment infrastructure. Enable efficient use of network infrastructure.

1 is a structure of a system using a communication network interface according to the prior art.
2 is a structure of an existing system equipped with a plurality of network interfaces in one system.
3 is an overall structure of a multiple network interface system to which a network switching system is applied according to an embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates a communication path of a network service provided in the system.
4 is a schematic internal block diagram of a network interface switching system applied to the multiple network interface system shown in FIG.
5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a network interface switching system.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the network interface switching system illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The present invention allows a network service (or application service) of a system having multiple network interfaces to select and use a suitable network as needed without user input. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a network switching system that is the core of multiple network interface switching support terminals for providing a continuous network service. According to the present invention, an application service program (or application) of the network service automatically selects an optimal network communication method (or network communication path) among several network interfaces, and transmits data. Even if the communication network is terminated in the process of transmitting this data, it is automatically connected to another communication network to enable seamless network service.

To this end, the present invention provides a network service provided from a first system (a service provider capable of generating and providing arbitrary content) to a second system, the intervening between the first system and the second system. It is to configure the network system structure to use all of a plurality of network interfaces (or multiple network interfaces) having their own unique IP information. That is, according to the present invention, the network service may be configured to determine a state of each of the plurality of network interfaces and to transmit data to an appropriate communication interface (network interface) according to the purpose of the network service (for example, a video service or a voice service). By changing the interface path to be transmitted, the first system that provides the service may use a plurality of communication methods (or communication paths) as necessary for each service.

As described above, the present invention may be variously modified and have various embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the following description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Meanwhile, in describing the drawings, similar reference numerals are used for similar components, and in the following description, terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components. It should not be limited by The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component.

In addition, in the following description, when a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected to or connected to the other component. There may be elements.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

In this application, "includes." Or “having”, etc., are intended to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, action, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features or numbers, steps, actions, configurations It is to be understood that it does not preclude the presence or possibility of addition of elements, parts or combinations thereof.

Meanwhile, in the following description, the terms 'network service' and 'network interface' are described, and the network service uses various communication methods such as ITS service, telematics service, and ubiquitous service, which have different transmission speeds, data transfer amounts, and transmission ranges. A network device (or network hardware) may be a computer, a resource, a cable, a connector, a network card (NIC), or the like, and may be used interchangeably with the term 'network interface'. May be described.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3 is an overall structure of a multiple network interface system to which a network switching system is applied according to an embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates a communication path of a network service provided in the system.

Referring to FIG. 3, in a multiple network interface system to which a network switching system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, only one network path, that is, only one IP, to which each network service 10, 20, 30 is allocated Unlike being able to communicate with other systems 310, 320, and 330 on the network through the bay, it is possible to select and use a plurality of network paths (three branched paths in R1 and three branched paths in R2). That is, as shown in FIG. 3, in the multiple network interface system to which the network switching system is applied, one network service may simultaneously use several IPs, that is, multiple IPs on the protocol driver 100, as necessary. It is the same.

Each network interface (or NETWORK HARDWARE: 310, 320, 330) is assigned an independent IP to perform data transmission of network services, and delivers data through possible communication paths depending on the destination of the higher service (network service). . At this time, since the network interface switching system accesses and controls each communication network method by an interface unit, each communication interface may be used in a plurality of services without collision for each network service.

4 is a schematic internal block diagram of a network interface switching system applied to the multiple network interface system shown in FIG.

4, the network interface switching system 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a user application module 410 and a network interface switching manager module 420, and the network interface switching manager module ( 420 and an interface connection layer (ICL) forming a connection with the plurality of network interfaces 500: 500_1, 500_2,..., 500_N.

The network interface switching management module 420 selects an appropriate communication method by referring to the type and purpose of the upper network service and connection state information such as a network configuration state and a transmission state of the lower network interface 500.

The interface connection layer (ICL) maintains a transmission environment and a transmission flow between each network interface 500: 500_1, 500_2,..., 500_N in order to provide a continuous communication environment to a higher service.

Details of each component constituting the network interface switching system are as follows.

① User Application Module 410

The network interface switching management module 420 is requested to the network interface switching using the message transmission bus.

 The application program included in the network service is driven through the network interface changed by the manager module 420.

② Network Interface Switching Manager Module 420

-A network device that requests connection status information through an interface connection layer (ICL) and is adapted to the connection status of a network interface according to the connection status information received according to the request and the type and content (content) of an application included in the network service. Activate or deactivate (NETWORK DEVICE) 500. That is, among network interfaces 500_1, 500_2,..., 500_N included in the network device 500, network interfaces capable of performing communication appropriate to the type and content (content) of the application program may be selected and activated. Enable or disable.

Interface Interface Layer (ICL)

Provide the network interface switching manager module 420 with the presence of the hardware device and the new device information.

In an initial operation, the network interface switching manager module 420 sends a query to the interface connection layer (ICL) and receives network interface information (connection state information, etc.) that can be used as a response.

The network interface switching manager module 420 may be configured to determine a connection state (or connection state information) of the network interfaces 500_1, 500_2,..., 500_N detected by the interface connection layer (ICL) during operation. Receive it and send it to the administrator immediately (in real time).

5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a network interface switching system.

Referring to FIG. 5, a network interface switching system 420 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a memory 422, a test unit 424, a priority selector 426, and a switching manager 428.

The memory 422 stores the type, device name, and MAC address value information of each network interface 500_1, 500_2,..., 500_N collected through the interface connection layer (ICL).

The test unit 424 performs a stability test on the connection state of each of the network interfaces 500_1, 500_2,..., 500_N through an interface connection layer (ICL), and outputs the information (end, device name). And MAC address value information) in the memory 422 in real time.

The priority selector 426 selects priorities of any one of the network interfaces 500_1, 500_2,..., 500_N suitable for providing the purpose and content of a network service.

The switching manager 426 activates the network interface selected as the priority using the interface connection layer (ICL), and deactivates the deteriorated network interface when the communication environment of the activated network interface deteriorates, and the interface connection layer Based on the network connection status information provided by the (ICL), the other network interface is activated. In this case, the switching management unit 426 changes the type and contents of the application programs included in the network service as well as the connection state information of the network, that is, the Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), the Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS), and APTS. Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) services, such as the Advanced Public Transportation System (ITS) and the like, even if the transmission speed, data transmission amount, and transmission range required by the telematics service are changed, Refer to to activate another network interface and deactivate the currently connected network interface.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the network interface switching system illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 and 5 are referred to together to help understand the operation process.

4 to 6, in the network interface switching system, various messages are transmitted through the interface connection layer (ICL) and the system bus (SYSTEM-BUS of FIG. 4) to the corresponding network interfaces 500_1, 500_2,. 500_N), and initializes the information of the interface connection layer (ICL) through the initial and process of the interface. The information of the network interface switching manager module is initialized by combining the information of the interface connection layer (ICL) and the information of the application program included in the network service.

The detailed operation process of the network interface switching system is as follows, and the subject performing the following operation processes is fully described in the description with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, and therefore, the subject matter of the operation will not be specifically described. The operation process may be understood as a network interface switching system.

First, an internal message dedicated bus (MESSAGE-BUS of FIG. 4), a network interface switching manager module 420, and an interface connection layer (ICL) connecting the user application program module and the network interface switching management module are initialized (S510).

Subsequently, the network device 500 (NETWORK DEVICE: 500) is searched for (S520), and the type, device name, and MAC address value of the network interfaces 500_1, 500_2, ..., 500_N included in the currently connected network device 500 are searched. Information is read through the interface connection layer (ICL) and stored in memory (422 in FIG. 5).

Subsequently, a stability test is performed on all currently connected network interfaces (S520), and information on a network interface that has been successfully tested, that is, a usable network interface (for example, type, device name, and MAC address value information) is stored in a memory. do. For example, information of the network interface available for each test result may be stored in the memory in a table form.

Next, a network interface suitable for connection (or transmission) of an application program included in a network service is selected from the available network interfaces according to priority (S540).

Subsequently, the selected network interface is activated using the interface connection layer (S550).

Subsequently, the network interface switching manager application mounted in the network interface switching manager module is executed as a system daemon in the operating system (S560).

Thereafter, when the user requests a device change, that is, a change of a network interface through the switching manager application (S570), the user deactivates the currently connected network interface that is in an active state, and activates another network interface that is in the inactive state. To change (S580). That is, when the data change of the application program included in the network service or the connection state of the network interface changes, the network interface suitable for the purpose and content is selected again.

When the network interface is changed as described above, the existing network interface is deactivated and the selected network interface is activated. In this case, the network service using the network interface switching system transmits data through a process such as performing communication using a single general network interface.

As described above, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the conventional method in which application services using various communication methods such as ITS, telematics, and ubiquitous have to use different types of communication methods, respectively, so that one application service program is separated. By using a plurality of network interface devices as needed without operation to enable the desired application service.

As each application service can use multiple network interfaces freely, it is possible to support continuous application service even in a communication environment where each communication service is not smooth, and to support new application service using existing network environment infrastructure. Enable efficient use of network infrastructure.

Claims (10)

In the network interface switching system for providing a network service through a multiple network interface including a first network interface and a second network interface,
A user application module for executing a user application to provide the network service to the first network interface; And
Determine a connection state of the first and second network interfaces through an interface connection layer (ICL), and if the connection state of the first network interface changes, A network interface switching management module that manages a communication environment so that transmission of the network service is not persistent by switching to the second network interface corresponding to the connection state changed from one network interface.
Including,
The network interface switching management module,
When the data information of the user application program changes, switching from the first network interface to the second network interface,
A memory for collecting type information, device name information, and MAC address value information of each of the first and second network interfaces through the interface connection layer, and storing the collected information;
A test unit configured to perform a stability test on the first and second network interfaces and to store a test result in the memory for each of the collected information;
A priority selector which selects one of the first and second network interfaces suitable for providing a purpose and content of a type and content of an application program included in the network service; And
A switching manager for activating any one selected network interface using the interface connection layer;
Network interface switching system comprising a.
delete delete The method of claim 1, wherein when the first network interface is selected by the priority selector,
The switching management unit,
And when the connection state of the first network interface deteriorates or when data information of the user application program changes, switching from the first network interface to the second network interface.
The method of claim 1,
The user application module requests a network interface switching to the network interface switching management module through a message-bus,
The network interface switching management module is configured to switch from the first network interface to the second network interface in response to a request of the network interface switching.
The method of claim 5, wherein the network interface switching management module,
Requesting connection state information indicating the connection state of the first and second network interfaces to the interface connection layer, receiving connection state information of the first and second network interfaces in response to the request,
When the connection state of the first network interface deteriorates, the network interface may be deactivated, the second network interface may be activated, and the first network interface may be switched from the first network interface to the second network interface. Switching system.
The method of claim 6, wherein the network interface switching management module,
In a first operation, a query is sent to the interface connection layer as a request for the connection state information.
And network connection status information of the first and second network interfaces as a response result of the query.
delete In the network interface switching method in a network interface switching system comprising a user application module and a network interface switching management module to provide a network service to a plurality of network interfaces,
Initializing the interface connection layer by the network interface switching system;
Performing a stability test on all currently connected network interfaces of the plurality of network interfaces;
Prioritizing any one of the currently connected network interfaces suitable for providing the purpose and content of a type and content of an application program included in the network service according to the test result;
Activating the network interface selected as the priority using the interface connection layer;
When the connection state of the currently connected network interface is changed, deactivating the currently connected network interface and activating another network interface having a connection state superior to that of the currently connected network interface among the remaining currently connected network interfaces; And
Providing the network service to the other activated network interface
Network interface switching method in a multi-network interface system comprising a.
10. The method of claim 9,
The network interface switching management module sends a query to the interface connection layer, and in response to the network interface switching method in the multi-network interface system characterized in that the connection status of all the currently connected network interface.

Images