KR20010097330A - HUB-LAN Card and Operating Method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hub-lan card and a method of operating the same, and in particular, a hub-lan card combining a hub and a LAN card, which is used for establishing a network environment in an office or home, is mounted on each personal computer (PC). The present invention relates to a hub-lan card and a method of operating the network in which a PC is connected in a chain form.

Conventionally, since the PCs with LAN cards must be connected to the hubs with a predetermined number of ports in a radial form, the network installation is not only complicated, but the time and cost according to the corresponding network installation work are increased, and PCs are added. When connecting to a network, if the number of PCs exceeds the number of ports that the hub has, there is a problem in that a new hub needs to be purchased and additional PCs are connected as well as all the PCs connected to the network must be connected again and again.

The present invention can not only lower the network installation cost by building a network with a PC equipped with a hub-LAN card combining a hub and a LAN card, but also easily build a network in a chain form, and additionally install a PC in the network. In addition, since only the additional PC is connected to the last stage of the PC, the additional installation work is not only simplified, but also has the advantage of saving time and cost for the additional installation work.

Description

HUB-LAN Card and Operating Method

The present invention relates to a hub-lan card and a method of operating the same, and in particular, a hub-lan card combining a hub and a LAN card, which is used for establishing a network environment in an office or home, is mounted on each personal computer (PC). The present invention relates to a hub-lan card and a method of operating the network in which a PC is connected in a chain form.

In general, the rapid development of large scale integrated circuit (LSI) technology has accelerated the personalization of various information devices, and various types of information devices centered on PCs are used as tools for improving productivity in offices, factories, and laboratories. It has been installed / used. For operational efficiency of these information devices, the necessity of connecting and networking them with each other has arisen, and the local area network (LAN), which can be more easily implemented due to the advantage that their installation points are close to each other, has emerged.

Recently, as the establishment of Small Office Home Office (SOHO) has been activated, the necessity of establishing a network using a LAN in SOHO or small and medium-sized enterprises has increased. In addition, small-scale networks for private hospitals, branch offices, agencies, and chain stores Construction is actively developing.

As such, the network constructed in SOHO, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large enterprises may be connected to an external network or another hub connected to a high-speed communication line such as an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) or an Intergrated Service Digital Network (ISDN), as shown in FIG. A plurality of hubs 10-1 and 10-2 connected and having a predetermined number of ports (e.g., five or twelve ports) and a plurality of LAN cards (not shown), respectively. PCs 11-1 to 11-5 are constructed of 12. Here, the maximum number of PCs connected to the hubs 10-1 and 10-2 is one port for connecting an external network and a server in the number of ports N of the hubs 10-1 and 10-2. Same as the number except That is, the maximum number of PCs connected to the hubs 10-1 and 10-2 is N-1.

For example, if the first hub 10-1 and the second hub 10-2 have six ports, the first hub 10-1 and the second hub 10-2 may have a maximum of 5 ports. Large PCs are radially connected with respect to the corresponding first hub 10-1 and second hub 10-2, respectively.

When such a network is constructed with the first hub 10-1 having six ports and five PCs 11-1 through 11-5, the network is radially formed around the first hub 10-1. Five PCs 11-1 to 11-5 are connected to the ports of the corresponding first hub 10-1, and each PC 11-1 to 11-5 connects the first hub 10-1. Send and receive data through In addition, when additionally connecting the PC 12 on the network, since the first hub 10-1 does not have a port for connecting the additional PC 12, the second hub 10-2 is connected to the first. It connects to the hub 10-1 and connects an additional PC 12 to one port of the corresponding second hub 10-2, and the PCs 11-1 to 11- previously connected to the first hub 10-1. 5) need to be reinstalled and connected, and the PC 12 to be added transmits and receives data through the second hub 10-2 connected to the first hub 10-1.

Here, in order to build a network, each PC 11-1 to 11-5, 12 must be equipped with a LAN card or connected. Here, the LAN card is divided into an external type and an internal type, and the external LAN card must be correctly inserted in accordance with a plurality of pins of the parallel port or the serial port of the PC 11-1 to 11-5. The internal LAN card should be inserted into the Peripheral Component Interconnection (PCI) slot or the Industry Standard Archtecture (ISA) slot of the PCs 11-1 to 11-5. In addition, when the operating system (OS) of the PCs 11-1 to 11-5 and 12 is a Plug and Play method such as Windows, the PCs 11-1 to 11-5 Turn off the power of (12) and connect external LAN card to parallel or serial port of PC (11-1 ~ 11-5) (12), and internal LAN card is connected to PC (11-1 ~ 11-5), (12 After inserting into the PCI slot or the ISA slot, you need to reboot Windows so that the LAN card can be recognized by the PC (11-1 ~ 11-5) (12).

If you want to add more PCs on such a network, the added PC can be connected to the second hub 10-2 to build a network.

As described above, in the related art, since a PC having a LAN card is connected to a hub having a predetermined number of ports, each of the PCs must be radially connected to the hub. There is a growing problem.

In addition, when additional PCs are connected to a network, when the number of PCs exceeds the number of ports of a hub, a new hub needs to be purchased and additional PCs connected, and all PCs connected to the network are connected again. There is a problem that must be done.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a hub-LAN card in which a hub having a predetermined number of ports and a LAN card are combined to enable a convenient and inexpensive SOHO network construction.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a hub-lan card and a method of operating the same, in which additional PCs are connected to the last PC when the PCs are additionally connected to the network, so that the PCs can be easily installed. .

1 is a view showing a network configuration according to the prior art,

2 is a block diagram schematically showing a hub-lan card according to the present invention;

3 is a detailed block diagram showing in detail the hub-lan card according to the present invention;

4 is a diagram showing a network constructed of a PC equipped with a hub-LAN card according to the present invention;

5 is a block diagram schematically showing a hub-lan card for a USB port according to the present invention;

6 is a detailed block diagram showing in detail the hub-lan card for a USB port according to the present invention;

7A and 7B are block diagrams for describing an operation of a hub-lan card according to an on / off state of a PC power supply.

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

40, 50: hub-LAN card 132: voltage supply

140, 150: Ethernet module 141, 151: LAN control unit

152: Ethernet control unit 240, 250: hub unit

241, 251: hub module

242-1, 242-2, 252-1, 252-2: Transformer

243, 253: mode selection module 350: USB control unit

Features of the present invention for achieving the object as described above

In addition, other features of the present invention

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, a hub-lan card combining a hub and a LAN card performs the function of a LAN card, but determines the stability of the transmission rate of the network and the compatibility with other devices, and the data between the PC 30 and the hub unit 240. Ethernet module 140 for transmitting and receiving, and a hub unit 240 for performing the function of the hub and transmitting and receiving data between the Ethernet module 140 and the external network or another PC.

Here, the hub 240 of the hub-LAN card 40 has a predetermined number of ports, for example, a port 1 connected to an external network or a front end PC through an uplink and an Ethernet module. Port 2 is connected to 140 for transmitting and receiving data, and the port 3 is connected to the next PC to transmit and receive data.

The operation of the hub-lan card 40 having the above-described configuration is performed as follows.

First, when receiving data from an external network or another PC, data transmitted from the external network or the PC in the front end through port 1 of the hub unit 240 and the number 3 of the hub unit 240 from the next PC. Receives data transmitted through the port and delivers it to the Ethernet module 140 through port 2 of the hub unit 240. In addition, at the same time, the hub unit 240 transmits the data received through the port 1 to the next PC through the port 3 and the data received through the port 3 to the external network or the front end through the port 1. Deliver to PC On the other hand, the Ethernet module 140 for receiving data through the port 2 of the hub unit 240 transmits the data to the PC (30).

In contrast to the above, when the PC 30 transmits data, the data is transmitted to the hub unit 240 via the Ethernet module 140. The hub unit 240 transmits the data to the external network or the PC in the front and the PC in the next stage through the first port and the third port, respectively.

Looking at the configuration and operation of the hub-LAN card 40 mounted in the above-described PC 30 in more detail is operated as follows.

As shown in FIG. 3, the hub unit 240 transmits and receives data to and from the first and third transformers 242-1 or 2 with an external network or a PC in the front stage and a PC in the next stage. A mode selection module 243 for transmitting and receiving the data to and from the transformer 242-2, a first transformer 242-1 and a second for transmitting and receiving the data between the mode selection module 243 and the hub module 241; A transformer 242-2, and a hub module 241 for transmitting and receiving data between the first or second transformer 242-1, 242-2 and the Ethernet module 140.

The Ethernet module 140 includes a LAN controller 141 for controlling data transmission and reception between the hub module 241 of the hub unit 240 and the PC 30.

In addition, the PC 30 is provided with a voltage supply unit 132 for supplying power to the hub LAN card 40.

When the hub-lan card 40 having such a configuration is connected to the PC 30, the operation of the hub-lan card 40 is performed as follows.

First, when receiving data from an external network or another PC, if the PC 30 is powered on, data from the external network or the front PC and the data from the next PC are set to port 1 and port 3. The hub unit 243 of the hub-LAN card 40 mounted on the PC 30 is received. The hub unit 243 transfers the data to the hub module 241 through the first transformer 242-1 or the second transformer 242-2. For example, the data received at the port 1 is The hub module 241 is transferred to the hub module 241 through the first transformer 242-1, and the data received at port 3 is transferred to the hub module 241 through the second transformer 242-2. Accordingly, the hub module 241 amplifies the attenuated portion of the data through an internal repeater, reproduces the frame bit string of the data, and transmits the data to the LAN control unit 141 of the Ethernet module 140. At the same time, the hub module 241 transmits the data received from the first transformer 242-1 to the second transformer 242-2 and transmits the data received from the second transformer 242-2 to the first. Transmit to transformer 242-1. Accordingly, the first transformer 242-1 and the second transformer 242-2 transfer the corresponding data to the mode selection module 243, and the mode selection module 243 sends the data from the first transformer 242-1. The received data is transmitted to the external network or the front PC through port 1, and the data received from the second transformer 242-2 is transferred to the next PC through the port 3.

In this case, the hub module 241 stops the transmission of data and generates a jam signal when a collision occurs while transferring the corresponding data, and automatically isolates the corresponding port when there is a failed port. Status and jam status are displayed.

Meanwhile, the LAN controller 141 compares the reception address of the data received from the hub module 241, that is, the IP address with the IP address of the memory (not shown) provided therein, and delivers the same to the corresponding PC 30. If it does not match, the data is discarded.

However, when the power of the PC 30 is turned off, the mode selection module 243 of the hub unit 240 switches the data received through port 1 or port 3 so as not to be transmitted to the internal port 1. Transmit data received through port 3 and transmit data received through port 3 through port 1.

In contrast to the above, when data is transmitted from the PC 30 equipped with the corresponding hub-LAN card 40, the hub module of the hub unit 240 receives data from the PC 30 to the Ethernet module 140. 241). Accordingly, the hub module 241 transmits the data to the mode selection module 243 through the first transformer 242-1 and the second transformer 242-2, and the mode selection module 243 corresponds to the corresponding data. Data is also forwarded through ports 1 and 3 to the external network or the front PC and the next PC.

The network constructed by attaching the hub-LAN card 40 to the PC 30 as described above is formed as shown in FIG.

After attaching the hub LAN card 40 to each of the PCs 21-1 to 21-5, the first PC 21-1 is connected to the external network and the port 1 of the hub LAN card 40, and The second PC 21-2 is connected to port 3 of the first PC 21-1. Then, the third PC 21-3 connected to the next stage is connected to the third port of the second PC 21-2. In this way, each PC 21-1 to 21-5 is connected to establish a network.

When additionally connecting the PC 22 to the network, by connecting the additional PC 22 to the port 3 of the last PC (21-5) can easily install additional PCs on the network. And, since port 3 of the additional PC 22 is not connected to another PC, there is always the expandability to additionally connect one PC.

On the other hand, when the hub-lan card 40 described above is connected to the USB port of the PC 30, the configuration of the hub-lan card 40 is made as shown in FIG.

The hub-lan card 50 for the USB port may include a hub unit 250 for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external network or a PC at the front end and a PC at the next stage, and transmitting and receiving data between the hub unit 250 and the USB controller 350. Ethernet module 150, and a USB control unit 350 for transmitting and receiving data between the Ethernet module 150 and the PC (30).

Receives data from the hub 250 of the hub-LAN card 50 from an external network or a PC in the front stage and a PC in the next stage, amplifies the attenuated portion while transmitting the corresponding data, and then transfers the attenuated portion to the Ethernet module 150. . The Ethernet module 150 compares the reception address of the data received from the hub unit 250 with its own address, that is, the IP address of the data and its own IP address, and matches the PC 30 via the USB controller 350. If it does not match, the data is discarded. Here, the USB controller 350 interfaces data received from the Ethernet module 150 to the USB port of the PC 30.

However, when the USB hub-lan card 50 receives data from the PC 30 and transmits the data to the external network or the PC in the front stage and the PC in the next stage, the USB control unit 350 sends data from the PC 30. Receives and delivers to the Ethernet module 150. The Ethernet module 150 transfers the data to the hub unit 250, and the hub unit 250 transmits the data to the external network or the PC in the front and the PC in the next through the ports 1 and 3, respectively. To pass.

The above-described process will be described with reference to FIG. 6 as follows.

The hub 250 of the hub-LAN card 50 transmits and receives data to and from an external network or a PC in the front and a PC in the next stage through ports 1 and 3, but transmits and receives the data according to the on / off state of the PC power. A mode selection module 253 for selecting a port, a first transformer 252-1 and a second transformer 252-2 for transmitting and receiving data between the mode selection module 253 and the hub module 253, and a first Or it comprises a hub module 251 for transmitting and receiving data between the second transformer (252-1, 252-2) and the Ethernet module 150.

The Ethernet module 150 is a LAN controller 151 for controlling data transmission and reception between the hub module 251 of the hub unit 250 and the USB controller 350, and between the LAN controller 151 and the USB controller 350. It is provided with an Ethernet control unit 152 for transmitting and receiving data and comparing the IP address of the data received from the LAN control unit 151 with its own IP address.

Since the USB controller 350 is the same as the above-described operation, description thereof will be omitted.

Here, the USB port of the PC (30) is the same as all the standards, such as the number of pins and size, and when replacing or connecting the peripheral device due to the plug and play, the hub 30 LAN card without turning off the power to the PC (30) Fit 40. For example, if you connect a parallel or serial ZIP drive to the parallel or serial port, you must turn off the PC 30, connect the ZIP drive, and reboot the PC 30 again. The drive may replace or connect the PC 30 at any time regardless of the power state. Accordingly, the portable device mainly adopts the USB method.

USB-type portable devices as described above, for example, portable PCs such as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) or Palmtops, speakers and microphones and digital cameras, include a 500 mA power cable on the USB cable connected to the device. Does not require a power supply (battery or power adapter), and is a recently standardized universal I / O port for a PC, with a bandwidth of 12 MB.

In addition, in order for the hub-lan card 50 to operate normally, in order to recognize the hub-lan card 50 in Windows 95/98 and the like and to show stable performance, a systematic driver technology for Windows is essential. In addition, a technology for implementing a Windows application that can monitor network status or monitor the status of the hub-lancard 50, and a window that makes the hub-lancard 50 efficient, convenient, and versatile. Internet application creation skills are required.

First, when receiving and transmitting data from the PC 30 equipped with the hub-LAN card 50, the USB controller 350 interfaces with the data received from the PC 30 to Ethernet of the Ethernet module 150. The Ethernet control unit 351 which transmits the data to the control unit 152 and receives data from the USB control unit 350 transmits the data to the hub module 251 of the hub unit 250 via the LAN control unit 151. At this time, the LAN control unit 151 controls the data transmission received from the Ethernet control unit 152 to the hub module 251. The hub module 251 receiving the data from the LAN controller 151 transmits the data to the mode selection module 253 through the first transformer 252-1 and the second transformer 252-2. The mode selection module 253 for receiving data through the first transformer 252-1 and the second transformer 252-2 transmits the data through a port 1 and a port 3 to an external network or a PC at the front end, respectively. And transmits to the next stage PC.

On the other hand, when receiving data through the external network, the PC of the front end, or the PC of the next stage will be described as follows according to the power on / off state of the PC (30).

First, when the power of the PC (30) is OFF (OFF) mode, as shown in Figure 7a, the data via the port 1 or port 3 of the hub unit 250 connected to the external network or another PC mode Received by the selection module 253, and closes the connection circuit to the Ethernet module 150 so that the mode selection module 253 does not pass the data therein, and establishes only the connection to port 1 or port 3 to the corresponding data. To the external network or another PC. For example, the data received through port 1 is transmitted to the next PC through port 3, and the data received through port 3 is transmitted to the external network or PC in front of the port. Accordingly, even when the PC 30 on which the hub-LAN card 50 is mounted is powered off, data can be transferred to the next PC.

However, when the power supply of the PC 30 is ON, as shown in FIG. 7B, the data from the external network or the front PC or the data from the next PC is connected to the first port or the third port. The signal is received by the mode selection module 253 of the hub unit 250 and transmitted to the hub module 251 via the first transformer 252-1 or the second transformer 252-2. In this case, data transmitted through port 1 is transmitted through the first transformer 252-1, and data transmitted through port 3 is transmitted through the second transformer 252-2. Meanwhile, the hub module 251 transfers data transmitted through the first transformer 252-1 or the second transformer 252-2 to the LAN controller 151 of the Ethernet module 150, and at the same time, the first module 251. The data received from the transformer 252-1 is transmitted to the mode selection module 253 through the second transformer 252-2, and the data transmitted through the second transformer 252-2 is transmitted to the first transformer 252-. Transfer to the mode selection module 253 through 1). The LAN controller 151 receiving data from the hub module 251 transfers the data to the Ethernet controller 351. Accordingly, the Ethernet control unit 351 checks the reception address of the data, that is, the IP address, and compares it with its own IP address to receive the data to a higher layer, and discards the data if it does not match with the own address. Here, the hub-LAN card 50 operates by receiving power from the voltage supply unit 132 of the PC 30.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be modified or modified in various ways. Accordingly, modifications to the embodiments of the present invention will not be possible without departing from the technical scope of the present invention.

As described above, the present invention not only makes the network installation cost low by establishing a network with a predetermined number of PCs each equipped with a hub-LAN card combining a hub and a LAN card, but also facilitates the network by connecting a predetermined number of PCs in a chain form. There is an advantage that can be built.

In addition, the present invention has the advantage that not only the additional installation work is simplified, but also saves time and costs due to additional installation work because only the additional PC is added to the last step of the PC when additional installation of the PC.

Claims (11)

A hub unit having a predetermined number of ports for transmitting and receiving data between the external network and the PC; Hub-LAN card characterized in that it is connected to any one of the ports of the hub portion having an Ethernet module for transmitting and receiving data. The method of claim 1, wherein the hub portion, A mode selection module for selecting a data transmission / reception port according to a power on / off state of the PC; A hub module for transmitting and receiving data to and from an Ethernet module, amplifying data received from the mode selection module, and transmitting the data back to the mode selection module; And a first transformer and a second transformer for transmitting and receiving data between the mode selection module and the hub module. The method of claim 1, wherein the Ethernet module, And a data transmitting / receiving data with the hub unit, and further comprising a LAN control unit analyzing the IP address of the data received from the hub unit to control transmission to the corresponding port. Hub-LAN card for the USB port that is connected to the USB port of the PC A hub unit having a predetermined number of ports for transmitting and receiving data between the external network and the PC; An Ethernet module for transmitting and receiving data with the hub unit; And a USB controller for interfacing data transmission and reception between the Ethernet module and the PC. The method of claim 4, wherein the hub portion, A mode selection module for selecting a data transmission / reception port according to a power on / off state of the PC; A hub module for reproducing the bit string of the received data and transmitting it to the Ethernet module and the mode selection module; And And a first transformer and a second transformer for transmitting and receiving data between the mode selection module and the hub module. The method of claim 4, wherein the Ethernet module, A LAN control unit controlling data transmission and reception with the hub unit; Hub-LAN card further comprises an Ethernet control unit for transmitting and receiving data between the LAN control unit and the USB control unit. The method of claim 6, wherein the Ethernet control unit, When receiving data from the LAN control unit, the hub-LAN card further comprises an Ethernet control unit for controlling the transmission to the corresponding port by analyzing the IP address of the received data. The method according to claim 1 and 4, And the USB controller, the Ethernet module, and the hub are powered by the voltage supply of the PC. In the operation method of the hub-lan card, Determining an on / off state of the PC power supply; When the PC is powered on, receiving data from an external network or another PC in a mode selection module and transferring the data to a first transformer or a second transformer; Receiving data from the first or second transformer by the hub module and reproducing and transmitting a bit string of the received data; Transferring the data to a mode selection module through a first or second transformer and from the mode selection module to an external network or another PC; Transmitting, by the LAN controller, the data received from the hub module to an Ethernet controller; Comparing an IP address of the data with its own IP address in an Ethernet controller; Transferring the data to the PC via a USB controller when the IP address of the data and its IP address match; Transmitting data received from the PC to a hub module when receiving data from the PC; Transferring the data from the hub module to a mode selection module through first and second transformers; And transmitting the external network and the other PC through a predetermined number of ports in the mode selection module. The method of claim 9, And transmitting the data received from one port through the other port when the PC power is off. The method of claim 9, And if the IP address of the data and the IP address of the PC do not match, discarding the data.