KR20050017851A - Access Point Device, and Remote Configuration Method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An access point device and a remote setting method therefor are provided to set a wired access environment and a radio relay environment for wired/wireless networks by performing predetermined communication with a server system of a remote place, thereby simplifying initial settings. CONSTITUTION: When a system operation is started, access point devices are initialized(S210), and a system decides whether current wired/radio relay environments are set(S215). If so, the system starts wired/radio relay operations(S255). If the environments are not set, the system decides whether current DHCP/ISP servers are usable(S220). If so, the system accesses the DHCP/ISP servers(S225) to receive wired access environment information, and automatically sets a wired access environment(S230). If the servers are not usable, the system accesses a setting computer(S235) to manually set the wired access environment(S240). The system accesses a remote setting server(S245), and sets the radio relay environment(S250). The system starts the wired/radio relay operations(S255).

Description

Access Point Device, and Remote Configuration Method for the same}

The present invention, when connected to a wired network, performs a predetermined communication with a server system of a remote place to perform a wired connection environment setting for a wired network and a wireless relay environment setting for a wireless network, the access point device is easy to initial setting, and this It relates to a remote configuration method for.

Recently, users of wireless communication technologies such as wireless LANs are increasing, and there are many potential users in the future. However, access point devices for accessing wireless communication are not so widely installed, and thus sufficient communication environment is required for users' needs. It does not provide. Therefore, major network operators are trying to expand the access point device, but there are complex problems such as difficulty in securing an installation place, installation and management, and thus have not obtained good results.

On the other hand, even if a user intends to purchase and use an access point by himself, it is difficult because the installation and management of the access point device in conjunction with the service provider's system is quite difficult. Therefore, even if the user connects to the network, even if the user does not perform the initial setting, the initial setting is performed, thereby providing an access point for configuring a wireless hot spot, thereby expanding the base of the wireless communication and at the same time reducing the burden on the network operator. Is required.

Accordingly, the present invention, when connected to a wired network, performs a predetermined communication with a server system of a remote location by performing a wired connection environment setting for a wired network and a wireless relay environment setting for a wireless network, the initial setting is simple, And to provide a remote setting method for this purpose is to.

As an embodiment for achieving the object of the present invention as described above, the present invention provides an access point device for relaying between a wired network and a wireless network, the access point device, to provide a connection to the wired network Wired network module; A wireless network module for providing access to the wireless network; And a control module for controlling the wired network module and the wireless network module, wherein the access point device (1) communicates with a first server system through the wired network module when connected to the wired network. Receiving a wired connection environment information for the wired network from a server system, and establishes a connection environment for the wired network, and (2) communicates with a second server system at a remote location to communicate with the wireless network from the second server system. Acquiring wireless relay environment information to set a relay environment for the wireless network, and (3) performing a relay operation between the wireless network and the wired network when the wired network connection environment setting and the wireless network relay environment setting are completed. Providing an access point device characterized in that All.

In addition, as an embodiment for achieving the object of the present invention as described above, the present invention provides a method for remotely setting an access point device when an access point device relaying between a wired network and a wireless network is connected to the wired network. A method comprising: (1) a first step of establishing a physical connection via a wired network with a modem connected to the access point device; (2) a second step of requesting login through the physical connection from the access point apparatus and inquiring subscriber information corresponding thereto to determine whether to allow login for the login request; (3) providing a wired connection environment information for the Internet access through the wired network to the access point device; (4) a fourth step of requesting subscriber authentication for the remote setting from the access point apparatus and determining whether to authenticate in response thereto; And (5) a fifth step of providing radio relay environment information for the wireless network to the access point device.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating a network system configured using the access point apparatuses 110 and 120 according to the present invention. In the present specification, as the access point apparatus according to the present invention, in the case of the first access point apparatus 110 in which an Internet connection is made in a dedicated line environment such as LAN 160; And a second access point device 120 in which an Internet connection is made by a specific Internet service provider (ISP) through an x-DSL modem 170 or the like, and the idea of the present invention is used in such a different environment. The same may be applied to the access point devices 110 and 120. The illustrated DHCP server 145 and ISP server 140 provide wired connection environment information to enable normal Internet access for the access point devices 110, 120 in each network environment 155, 160, while The illustrated remote setting server 130 provides wireless relay environment information for the access point devices 110 and 120.

First, wired connection environment information will be described. Since the access point devices 110 and 120 basically provide a relay service between the wired network and the wireless network, the access point apparatuses 110 and 120 should first be able to access the Internet through the wired network. In general, in order to properly connect to the Internet through a wired network, IP address, subnet mask, gateway address, DNS address, etc. are required as wired connection environment information. Additional ID and password are required.

The illustrated DHCP server 145 and ISP server 140 are systems for providing such wired connection environment information to the access point devices 110 and 120 through wired networks 150, 155, and 160. The wired connection configuration operation for the first access point device 110 used in the dedicated line environment may be performed according to whether the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server 145 according to the known technology exists in the same LAN 160. The way is different. If the DHCP server 145 is provided in the same LAN 160, the first access point device 110 is automatically remotely configured by receiving wired connection environment information from the DHCP server 145 through an operation according to the DHCP standard. If the DHCP server 145 is not provided in the same LAN 160, the wired connection environment information is set manually through the setting computer 180.

In addition, the first access point device 110 will generally have only one network interface. If the DHCP server 145 is not provided, the first access point device 110 is first connected to the setting computer 180 to provide the wired connection environment information as described above. After setting, it will then connect to LAN 160 to initiate a wired connection. On the other hand, if the first access point device 110 has a plurality of network interfaces or have an extra communication channel such as Bluetooth, the first access point device 110 is connected to the setting computer 180 in the state connected to the LAN 160 directly wired connection environment information You will be able to set

On the other hand, in the case of the second access point device 120 in which the Internet connection is made through a specific ISP network 155, the ISP server 140 is operated for the Internet service itself, and the ISP server 140 is a kind of DHCP. Since the second access point apparatus 120 logs in via the ID and password, the wired connection environment information is automatically set through the ISP server 140 managed by the Internet service provider. The use of the setting computer 180 as in the access point device 110 does not generally occur. On the other hand, since the DHCP server 145 or ISP server 140 performs a function of automatically setting the wired connection environment for the access point device (110, 120), these devices are generally referred to as a "wired network autoconfiguration server (wired network automatic configuration server ").

The second access point device 120 may be configured in the form of subscribing to a service according to the present invention with respect to an Internet service provider, in which case an ID / password for the second access point device 120 by an employee at the time of service subscription. Is set, and various operating environment information such as bandwidth (BW) and wired connection environment to ISP server 140 are set. Accordingly, when the second access point device 120 is connected to the x-DSL modem 170 and the operating power is supplied, the second access point device 120 is preferably automatically connected to the ISP server 140 of the ISP network 155 to which it is subscribed. As described above, the wired connection environment information is automatically set remotely. Meanwhile, the ID may be basically set as a device serial number or a MAC address of the second access point device 120.

Next, the radio relay environment information will be described. The access point apparatuses 110 and 120 configure a so-called "hot spot" on a wireless network, and provide a relay service between wired and wireless networks for one or more wireless terminals existing in the hot spot, thereby providing one or more wireless services. The terminal may perform internet access as if directly connected to a wired network. For the wired / wireless relay operation, the access point apparatuses 110 and 120 should configure a private network on a wireless network. As the wireless relay environment information, an IP address, a gateway address, a DNS address, a DHCP setting, a port Information about forwarding settings, VLAN settings, and allowable number of relay hops is needed.

The illustrated remote setting server 130 provides such wireless relay environment information to the access point devices 110 and 120 through the wired network 150, 155, 160. After the wired connection environment is established, the remote setting server 130 is connected to the remote setting server 130 through the set wired connection environment to receive the wireless relay environment information, and is remotely set. On the other hand, the radio relay environment information listed above is only presented as an example. The remote configuration server 130 may be located at a general point via the Internet 150 or on an ISP network 155 managed by an Internet service provider. When the remote setting server 130 exists on the ISP network 155, the remote setting server 130 may be integrated with the ISP server 140, depending on the implementation.

In more detail with regard to the above-described relay hop number, the access point device (110, 120) basically supports the ad-hoc type of wireless network function, so that the physical layer (physical layer) of In principle, if only the option is set, infinite relay is possible. However, such infinite relay may not be desirable in terms of an operator providing a wireless network, and thus, the remote setting server 130 may allow such relay in remotely setting the wireless relay environment of the access point apparatus 110 or 120. You can set the hop count. When the access point apparatus 110 or 120 receives the allowable number of relay hops from the remote configuration server 130, the access point apparatus 110 or 120 examines the wireless data packet received from the ad-hoc network, and the hop number is set. If more than the allowable number of relay hops, the relay service is not provided for the wireless data packet.

2 is a view showing the initial operation of the access point device (110, 120) according to the present invention. When the access point apparatuses 110 and 120 are supplied with operating power and the system operation is started, the access point apparatus is initialized first (S210), and it is determined whether the current wired / wireless relay environment is set (S215). In step S255, the wired / wireless relay operation is started. On the other hand, if the wired or wireless relay environment is not set, it is determined whether the current DHCP / ISP server (140, 145) is available (S220), if available, access to the DHCP / ISP server (140, 145) (S225) By receiving the wired connection environment information as described above, the wired connection environment is automatically set (S230), and if it is unavailable, it is connected to the setting computer 180 (S235) to manually set the wired connection environment (S240). . Subsequently, the remote control server 130 is connected to the remote setting server 130 based on the set wired connection environment (S245), receives the wireless relay environment information as described above, sets the wireless relay environment (S250), and starts the wired / wireless relay operation (S255). do.

First, a description will be given of a part for connecting to the DHCP / ISP server (140, 145) to set the wired connection environment. As described above with reference to FIG. 1, in a dedicated line environment such as the LAN 160, the first access point device 110 receives and uses the above-mentioned wired connection environment information from the DHCP server 145 connected to the same LAN 160. do. On the other hand, when the Internet service is provided from an external specific ISP provider such as the x-DSL modem 170, the cable modem, or the PSTN modem, the second access point device 120 may be a PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol), for example. Attempt to connect directly to the ISP server 140, etc. At this time, the ID / password is logged in to the ISP server 140. This ID / password may preferably be bound to the second access point device 120 when subscribing to a wireless network service according to the present invention.

3 is a view showing an embodiment of the internal configuration of the access point device 300 according to the present invention. Since the access point device 300 must provide a relay service between the wireless network and the wired network, the wired network module 310 providing a connection to the wired network as shown, and the wireless network module providing a connection to the wireless network. 350, a memory module 350 for storing an operation program and providing a memory space during system operation, and a processor module 330 for controlling the wired network module 310 and the wireless network module 350 based on the operation program. And a power module 320 for supplying operating power to the access point device 300.

In the access point apparatus 300 of the present invention, since the main purpose is to improve the convenience of use, the power module 320 preferably obtains the operating power from the wired network module 310 as shown. Typically, a wired network is a kind of digital interface, such as Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB), or IEEE 1394. In such a digital interface, the access terminal 300 has a power supply within a certain range from the wired network line. There is a way to be supplied. Thus, the power module 320 is preferably configured to obtain the operating power from the wired network.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, the wireless network may be arbitrarily selected and implemented from a wireless LAN, a Bluetooth, a UWB (Ultra Wide Band), and the like, and in particular, the wireless network to support a plurality of wireless network specifications. The module 350 may be configured in a so-called combo type.

4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a first access point apparatus 110 used in a dedicated network environment, such as a LAN 160, as an embodiment of a remote configuration method according to the present invention. As described above with reference to FIG. 1, in this dedicated network environment, a DHCP server 145 is provided in the dedicated network to provide wired connection environment information to the first access point device 110. According to the Internet standard regarding the DHCP server 145, the first access point device 110 must go through a so-called DHCP discovery process in order to recognize the DHCP server 145 and to be provided with information. The descriptions that are irrelevant to the core of the invention will be omitted.

First, the first access point device 110 requests wired connection environment information such as an IP address, a gateway address, a subnet mask, and the like to the DHCP server 145 (S410), and in response, the DHCP server 145 requests the DHCP server 145. 1 Provides wired connection environment information to the access point device 110. The first access point device 110 sets an internet connection environment through a wired network based on the provided wired connection environment information, and then accesses the remote setting server 130 through a wired network based on the set internet connection environment. Connect.

The first access point device 110 requests authentication (S430) while providing a unique identifier such as an Ethernet MAC address, and the remote setting server 130 determines whether to authenticate and authenticates the port, and then port forwarding. Wireless relay environment information such as setting, VLAN setting, etc. is provided to set (S440).

In this case, step S440 may be implemented in various forms. As an embodiment, the remote setting server 130 may provide the wireless relay environment information as a kind of information to implement the first access point device 110 to set the wireless relay environment. As another exemplary embodiment, a control command may be sent from the remote configuration server 130 to the first access point device 110 by using an inter-processor communication (IPC) technique, and the wireless relay environment may be set accordingly. As another embodiment, the remote configuration server 130 may be configured to download a Java applet / application code and the like so that the wireless relay environment is set by operating the Java code in the first access point device 110. In addition, various standards such as JINI or HAVI have proposed various methods for performing control between devices connected to each other network as desired.

However, these various methods all have in common that the first access point device 110 obtains the radio relay environment information from the remote setting server 130 and sets up the radio relay environment based thereon. That is, the information for setting the wireless relay environment is transmitted from the remote setting server 130 to the first access point device 110, and the subject for setting the wireless relay environment is always the first access point device 110, Specifically, the processor module 330 of the first access point device 110.

In addition, although not shown in FIG. 4, it is more preferable that the first access point device 110 transmit a completion confirmation signal / message to the remote setting server 130 after the setting of the wireless relay environment (S440) is completed. . It is obvious that it should be understood as an optional matter.

5 is an embodiment of a remote configuration method according to the present invention, in particular, an embodiment of a second access point device 120 used in an environment in which an Internet connection is made by a specific ISP through a DSL modem 170 or the like. Figure is a diagram. As described above with reference to FIG. 1, in such an ISP environment, the second access point device 120 first connects to the ISP server 140 through a specific connection protocol such as PPP, where an ID / password is generally used. need. Differences between the case of applying the present invention to a dedicated network environment and the case of applying the present invention to an ISP environment are described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, except for the above description of FIG. 5. It is virtually identical to the content.

6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of using tunneling in the remote configuration method according to the present invention. In general, there may be a plurality of operators providing Internet services to a specific region. For example, in the case of Korea, KT and Hanaro Telecommunication Co., Ltd. typically provide Internet services through ADSL. 6 illustrates a case in which a wireless network hotspot is configured by connecting an access point device 660 subscribed to a service to a first provider 610 to an x-DSL modem 670 subscribed to a second provider 620. In this case, the present invention contemplates that the wireless network service can be appropriately performed even in this case.

Since the access point device 660 is subscribed to the first operator 610, the ISP server 640 and the remote setting server 630 operated by the first operator 610 are used to wire the access point apparatus 660. The connection environment and the wireless relay environment should be set, and the DHCP / ISP server and the remote setting server (not shown) operated by the second operator have a special agreement between the first operator 610 and the second operator 620. Unless otherwise specified, the access point device 660 does not perform a configuration process in accordance with the present invention. Accordingly, the access point device 660 uses tunneling in connecting the servers 630 and 640 of the first operator through the x-DSL modem 670.

That is, a so-called "tunnel" is formed between the access point device 660 and the first operator network 610, passing through the x-DSL modem 670, the second operator network 620, and the Internet 650, Through the tunnel, the access point apparatus 660 may communicate with the various servers 630 and 640 of the first provider as desired, for example, in a PPP scheme. To this end, the access point device 660 requests a PPP connection to the first operator network 610 with the x-DSL modem 670, and correspondingly the x-DSL modem 670 is connected to the second provider 620. Request direct access to the first operator network 610, and the second provider 620 provides the tunneling service as shown in response to the direct access request from the x-DSL modem 670.

7 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the internal configuration of the access point device 720 according to the present invention. The illustrated access point apparatus 720 is a type using a wireless LAN card 710 that is being sold, and is connected to each other through, for example, PCMCIA interfaces 730 and 750. That is, since a plurality of WLAN cards 710 are sold in the past, the access point apparatus 720 uses the module mounted on the WLAN card 710 as the RF module 740 or the WLAN processor 735 as it is. In this way, the access point apparatus 720 does not need to include the RF module 740, and it is possible to implement the AP processor 755 as a low-end general purpose processor, thereby implementing the low cost access point apparatus 720. It becomes possible to provide.

In the exemplary embodiment 720 of the illustrated access point device, the foregoing description is similarly applied to the wired network module 765, the power module 770, and the memory module 760. When the AP processor 755 is connected to the wired network, the AP processor 755 preferably waits by setting the wired connection environment and the wireless relay environment in advance, and performs system setup when the WLAN card 710 is connected through the PCMCIA interface 750. And configure the wireless network hotspot. Of course, other embodiments of the wireless network technology other than the wireless LAN may be used in this embodiment.

According to the access point device and the remote setting method of the present invention, when the access point device is connected to the wired network, the user can easily perform the access point operation by performing the wired connection setting and the wireless relay setting without the user setting. have.

1 illustrates a network system constructed using an access point apparatus according to the present invention.

2 is a diagram illustrating an initial operation of an access point apparatus according to the present invention.

3 illustrates one embodiment of an internal configuration of an access point apparatus according to the present invention;

4 illustrates an embodiment of a remote configuration method in accordance with the present invention.

5 illustrates another embodiment of a remote configuration method in accordance with the present invention.

6 illustrates an embodiment using tunneling in a remote configuration method in accordance with the present invention.

7 illustrates another embodiment of an internal configuration of an access point apparatus according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

110, 120: access point device 130: remote configuration server

140: ISP server 145: DHCP server

150: Internet 155: ISP Network

160: LAN 170: x-DSL Modem

180: setting computer

Claims (10)

An access point device for relaying between a wired network and a wireless network, the access point device comprising: a wired network module for providing a connection to the wired network; A wireless network module for providing access to the wireless network; And a processor module for controlling the wired network module and the wireless network module, wherein the access point device communicates with a first server system through the wired network module when the access point device is connected to the wired network. Receiving a wired connection environment information for the wired network from a server system, and establishes a connection environment for the wired network, and (2) communicates with a second server system at a remote location to communicate with the wireless network from the second server system. Acquiring wireless relay environment information to set a relay environment for the wireless network, and (3) performing a relay operation between the wireless network and the wired network when the wired network connection environment setting and the wireless network relay environment setting are completed. Access point apparatus, characterized in that. An access point device for relaying between a wired network and a wireless network, the access point device comprising: a wired network module for providing a connection to the wired network; A digital interface module providing a connection to a wireless network device in communication with the wireless network; And a processor module for controlling the wired network module and the digital interface module, wherein the access point device communicates with a first server system through the wired network module when connected to the wired network. Receiving a wired connection environment information for the wired network from a server system, and establishes a connection environment for the wired network, and (2) communicates with a second server system at a remote location to communicate with the wireless network from the second server system. Acquires wireless relay environment information, (3) sets a relay environment for the wireless network using the wireless relay environment information for the wireless network device connected through the digital interface module, and (4) the wired network Connection environment setting and wireless network relay environment setting When the completion of the access point device characterized in that for performing a relay operation between the wireless network and the wired network. The access point apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the access point apparatus further comprises a power module that obtains power from the wired network module and supplies operating power to the access point apparatus. . The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first server system comprises a DHCP server for providing the wired connection environment information, and the second server system includes a remote setting server for providing the wireless relay environment information. The access point device requests the DHCP server for the wired connection environment information according to the Internet protocol, receives the wired connection environment information from the DHCP server, sets the wired network module, and sets the access point device. Accesses the remote setting server through the set wired network module, and the access point apparatus requests a user authentication for the remote access server and obtains the wireless relay environment information from the remote access server to obtain the wireless network module. Setting an access point device. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the access point apparatus checks whether the DHCP server is available on the wired network, and if so, receives the wired connection environment information from the DHCP server and sets the wired network module. And, if not available, access the external computer and receive the wired connection environment information from the computer to set the wired network module. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first server system comprises an ISP server for providing the wired connection environment information, and the second server system includes a remote setting server for providing the wireless relay environment information. The access point device performs a login to the ISP server, requests the ISP server for the wired connection environment information according to an Internet protocol, and receives the wired connection environment information from the ISP server. A module is set, the access point device accesses the remote setting server through the set wired network module, and the access point device requests a user authentication for the remote access server and sends the wireless relay environment from the remote access server. Setting up the wireless network module by obtaining information An access point device according to claim. According to claim 1 or 2, wherein the access point device is configured to receive the number of relay hops allowable as the radio relay environment information, and inspects the radio data packet received from the ad-hoc network And if the hop number of the data packet is more than the set allowable relay hop number, filtering the wireless data packet. A method of remotely setting an access point device when an access point device relaying between a wired network and a wireless network is connected to the wired network, the method comprising: establishing a physical connection through a modem connected to the access point device and the wired network; A first step of doing; A second step of requesting login through the physical connection from the access point device and inquiring subscriber information corresponding thereto to determine whether to allow login for the login request; Providing a wired connection environment information for the Internet access through the wired network to the access point device; A fourth step of requesting subscriber authentication for the remote setting from the access point device and determining whether to authenticate in response thereto; And a fifth step of providing wireless relay environment information for the wireless network to the access point device. The access point apparatus of claim 8, wherein in the second step, when the login request is a login request to another Internet service provider, the tunneling service is provided to the ISP server of the other Internet service provider. How to set up remotely. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for implementing a method for remotely setting an access point device according to claim 8.