WO2002043349A1 - Method of maintaining communication between devices incorporated in a computer network - Google Patents

Method of maintaining communication between devices incorporated in a computer network Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002043349A1
WO2002043349A1 PCT/NL2001/000842 NL0100842W WO0243349A1 WO 2002043349 A1 WO2002043349 A1 WO 2002043349A1 NL 0100842 W NL0100842 W NL 0100842W WO 0243349 A1 WO0243349 A1 WO 0243349A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
mac address
communication
information packet
reply
computer network
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL2001/000842
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Cornelis Schraverus
Arnoud Roderick Zwemmer
Dougal Joe Featherstone
Petrus Lambertus Goes
Original Assignee
Intersil Wireless B.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Intersil Wireless B.V. filed Critical Intersil Wireless B.V.
Priority to AU2002222788A priority Critical patent/AU2002222788A1/en
Publication of WO2002043349A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002043349A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L61/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
    • H04L61/09—Mapping addresses
    • H04L61/10—Mapping addresses of different types
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L61/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L2101/00—Indexing scheme associated with group H04L61/00
    • H04L2101/60—Types of network addresses
    • H04L2101/618—Details of network addresses
    • H04L2101/622—Layer-2 addresses, e.g. medium access control [MAC] addresses

Definitions

  • the invention firstly relates to a method of maintaining communication between devices incorporated in a computer network wherein communication is based chiefly on a predetermined addressing protocol, wherein a first device sends an information packet, after which a second device compiles a reply.
  • the first device is the apparatus immediately preceding the second device, sending or passing on the information packet. Information-technically, the first device and the second device are thus able to see each other.
  • the practice of this method is known.
  • the communication between the devices is based on standards such as the addressing principles according to RFC 826 (an Ethernet Address Resolution Protocol or Converting Network Protocol Addresses to 48 bit Ethernet Addresses for Transmission on Ethernet Hardware) and the standard RFC 1122 (Requirements for Internet Hosts Communication Layers) .
  • the second device that has to compile a reply on the information packet of the first device uses said standards to determine the MAC address of the first device.
  • the expert knows that devices intended for incorporation in a computer network or that is generally intended for digital data processing, is provided by the manufacturers with a hardware address referred to as the MAC address.
  • the invention proposes firstly that the method according to the preamble of claim 1 is characterized in that if the information packet complies with a predetermined criterion, the second device will register the MAC address of the first device from the information packet and will use it for directly addressing the reply to this MAC address. In this way the addressing protocol that would otherwise result in failing communication, is circumvented.
  • a possible criterion to apply for initiating that the second device, contrary to the communication protocol, will direct the reply to the MAC address of the first device could be that the information packet received from the first device is a so-called multi-cast-packet, or that this information packet contains a specific indicator initiating the second device to direct the reply to the MAC address of the first device.
  • the advantage of this solution is that it works with all old applications and with those now being developed, so that little work is required to ensure that the various applications are compatible. Moreover, there will be no generation of extra data traffic in relation to the present- day situation. Adjustments will only be required in the software of the respective device and in the relevant application.
  • a second proposal for maintaining communication between a device according to the preamble of claim 2 is that if the MAC address fails to be traced, the second device will send a message comprising its own MAC address and which is received by all or by a predetermined group of devices to which the first device belongs, and that the first device will then use this MAC address in subsequent messages intended for the second device.
  • the advantage of this solution is that existing communication protocols are honoured. As in the previously discussed solution, the advantage of this provision is that it is still possible to maintain reliable communication between devices incorporated in a computer network, even if the installation does not meet the requirements.
  • Figure 1 illustrates the method for maintaining communication between devices incorporated in a computer network according to the prior art. Section one of the figure indicates that an information request has been received from a first device. In response, a second device prepares a reply and addresses it to the Internet protocol address of the first device that sent the information request. This is shown at reference number 2.
  • This question is illustrated at reference number 3. If this is the case, the MAC address of the first device that sent the information packet may be determined by means of the Ethernet Address Resolution Protocol according to standard RFC 826; this is shown at reference number 4. If the first device is not part of the same subnet, it is necessary first to determine the route by which the reply can be sent by the second device to the first device; see reference number 5. If this route cannot be found, the reply will finally not be sent, and a situation will arise where the message traffic in the network is failing. If the route is known, the Internet protocol address of the device that takes care of the further routing of the reply message is determined; this is illustrated at reference numbers 6.
  • the reply packet is sent to the traced MAC address (see reference number 7) . If this MAC address with the relevant Ethernet address resolution protocol does not become available, the reply message will also be lost, as t H 1 h- 1 U. O en o ⁇ - ⁇

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Small-Scale Networks (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of maintaining communication between devices incorporated in a computer network wherein communication is based chiefly on a predetermined addressing protocol, wherein a first device sends an information packet, after which a second device compiles a reply. If the information packet complies with a predetermined criterion, the second device will register the MAC address of the first device form the information packet and will use it for directly addressing the reply to this MAC address.

Description

METHOD OF MAINTAINING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DEVICES INCORPORATED IN A COMPUTER NETWORK
The invention firstly relates to a method of maintaining communication between devices incorporated in a computer network wherein communication is based chiefly on a predetermined addressing protocol, wherein a first device sends an information packet, after which a second device compiles a reply. In the framework of the invention, the first device is the apparatus immediately preceding the second device, sending or passing on the information packet. Information-technically, the first device and the second device are thus able to see each other.
The practice of this method is known. In the known method the communication between the devices is based on standards such as the addressing principles according to RFC 826 (an Ethernet Address Resolution Protocol or Converting Network Protocol Addresses to 48 bit Ethernet Addresses for Transmission on Ethernet Hardware) and the standard RFC 1122 (Requirements for Internet Hosts Communication Layers) . The second device that has to compile a reply on the information packet of the first device uses said standards to determine the MAC address of the first device. The expert knows that devices intended for incorporation in a computer network or that is generally intended for digital data processing, is provided by the manufacturers with a hardware address referred to as the MAC address. If the various devices comprising the network are installed according to the instructions, communication between said devices will run smoothly based on the known predetermined addressing protocol. However, problems will arise if, for example, the first device is not adjusted or is incorrectly adjusted to the respective network, or if the device has been transferred from another network without adjustments. In the prior art this may result in the communication between the devices of the network going wrong or failing to come about. It is the object of the invention to provide means by which this problem can be solved. To this end the invention proposes firstly that the method according to the preamble of claim 1 is characterized in that if the information packet complies with a predetermined criterion, the second device will register the MAC address of the first device from the information packet and will use it for directly addressing the reply to this MAC address. In this way the addressing protocol that would otherwise result in failing communication, is circumvented.
A possible criterion to apply for initiating that the second device, contrary to the communication protocol, will direct the reply to the MAC address of the first device could be that the information packet received from the first device is a so-called multi-cast-packet, or that this information packet contains a specific indicator initiating the second device to direct the reply to the MAC address of the first device. The advantage of this solution is that it works with all old applications and with those now being developed, so that little work is required to ensure that the various applications are compatible. Moreover, there will be no generation of extra data traffic in relation to the present- day situation. Adjustments will only be required in the software of the respective device and in the relevant application.
In accordance with the invention, a second proposal for maintaining communication between a device according to the preamble of claim 2 is that if the MAC address fails to be traced, the second device will send a message comprising its own MAC address and which is received by all or by a predetermined group of devices to which the first device belongs, and that the first device will then use this MAC address in subsequent messages intended for the second device. The advantage of this solution is that existing communication protocols are honoured. As in the previously discussed solution, the advantage of this provision is that it is still possible to maintain reliable communication between devices incorporated in a computer network, even if the installation does not meet the requirements. The invention will now be elucidated with reference to two non-limiting exemplary embodiments, which relate to the method according to claim 1, and the method according to claim 2, respectively. In order to explain the invention, reference will be made to the figures showing a flow diagram of the communication process taking place according to the prior art, and in the method according to the invention, respectively. Identical reference numbers used in the figures identify similar parts . Figure 1 illustrates the method for maintaining communication between devices incorporated in a computer network according to the prior art. Section one of the figure indicates that an information request has been received from a first device. In response, a second device prepares a reply and addresses it to the Internet protocol address of the first device that sent the information request. This is shown at reference number 2. Then the question of whether the first device is located in the same subnet as the second device, needs to be answered. This question is illustrated at reference number 3. If this is the case, the MAC address of the first device that sent the information packet may be determined by means of the Ethernet Address Resolution Protocol according to standard RFC 826; this is shown at reference number 4. If the first device is not part of the same subnet, it is necessary first to determine the route by which the reply can be sent by the second device to the first device; see reference number 5. If this route cannot be found, the reply will finally not be sent, and a situation will arise where the message traffic in the network is failing. If the route is known, the Internet protocol address of the device that takes care of the further routing of the reply message is determined; this is illustrated at reference numbers 6.
When, as indicated above, the MAC address of the first device has become known and is determined by means of the Internet protocol address of the first device (see reference number 4) , the reply packet is sent to the traced MAC address (see reference number 7) . If this MAC address with the relevant Ethernet address resolution protocol does not become available, the reply message will also be lost, as t H1 h-1 U. O en o <-π
Figure imgf000006_0001

Claims

1. A method of maintaining communication between devices incorporated in a computer network wherein communication is based chiefly on a predetermined addressing protocol, wherein a first device sends an information packet, after which a second device compiles a reply, characterized in that if the information packet complies with a predetermined criterion, the second device will register the MAC address of the first device from the information packet and will use it for directly addressing the reply to this MAC address.
2. A method of maintaining communication between devices incorporated in a computer network wherein communication is based chiefly on a predetermined addressing protocol, wherein a first device sends an information packet, after which a second device compiles a reply and, by making use of the addressing protocol, traces the MAC address of the first device, characterized in that if the MAC address fails to be traced, the second device will send a message comprising its own MAC address, which is received by all or by a predetermined group of devices to which the first device belongs, and that the first device will then use this MAC address in subsequent messages intended for the second device.
PCT/NL2001/000842 2000-11-21 2001-11-20 Method of maintaining communication between devices incorporated in a computer network WO2002043349A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002222788A AU2002222788A1 (en) 2000-11-21 2001-11-20 Method of maintaining communication between devices incorporated in a computer network

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1016662 2000-11-21
NL1016662A NL1016662C2 (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Method for maintaining communication between equipment that is included in a computer network.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002043349A1 true WO2002043349A1 (en) 2002-05-30

Family

ID=19772425

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NL2001/000842 WO2002043349A1 (en) 2000-11-21 2001-11-20 Method of maintaining communication between devices incorporated in a computer network

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2002222788A1 (en)
NL (1) NL1016662C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2002043349A1 (en)

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5812767A (en) * 1995-07-28 1998-09-22 International Business Machines Corporation System for user registering an address resolution routine to provide address resolution procedure which is used by data link provider interface for resolving address conflicts

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5812767A (en) * 1995-07-28 1998-09-22 International Business Machines Corporation System for user registering an address resolution routine to provide address resolution procedure which is used by data link provider interface for resolving address conflicts

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
MCDONALD A B ET AL: "ARP VERSUS ES-IS: PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF NEIGHBOUR-GREETING PROTOCOLS", COMPUTER JOURNAL, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, SURREY, GB, vol. 39, no. 10, 1996, pages 854 - 867, XP000729298, ISSN: 0010-4620 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2002222788A1 (en) 2002-06-03
NL1016662C2 (en) 2002-05-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN101207604B (en) Virtual machine system and communication processing method thereof
US7634577B1 (en) Media gateway proxy
US7636364B2 (en) Redundant router network
US6128294A (en) Network connecting apparatus
US5216670A (en) Message stripping protocol for a communication network
US6772420B1 (en) System for obtaining appropriate device drivers by accessing table having list of manufacturers and link-layer addresses assigned to device drivers
CN101175000A (en) Method and device for automatic IP address detection
US8891551B2 (en) IPv6 over IPv4 transition method and apparatus for improving performance of control server
US7269661B2 (en) Method using receive and transmit protocol aware logic modules for confirming checksum values stored in network packet
US6775278B1 (en) Method and apparatus for generating replies to address resolution protocol requests
US20040059795A1 (en) System and method for tracking a transaction across a multi-hop network
US10496575B1 (en) Multi-protocol determining method based on CAN bus
JP4941117B2 (en) Server apparatus, network system, and network connection method used therefor
WO2009005212A1 (en) Ipv6 over ipv4 transition method and apparatus for improving performance of control server
US7536479B2 (en) Local and remote network based management of an operating system-independent processor
WO2002043349A1 (en) Method of maintaining communication between devices incorporated in a computer network
US20080215754A1 (en) Bridging Data Network Communications
US7480726B2 (en) Method and system for establishing communication between at least two devices
KR100226781B1 (en) Method for recognizing node
US6725273B1 (en) Point-to-point prefix protocol
JP2005515649A (en) Multiple buffers for removing unnecessary header information from received data packets
JP2019009637A (en) Network monitoring device
JP4685596B2 (en) Access multiplexer system for performing stateless autoconfiguration process
JPH1023058A (en) Setting method for network equipment
JPH06337824A (en) Transfer packet reception device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Country of ref document: JP