WO2004017562A1

WO2004017562A1 - Communication network management device and method for distributing data in various bandwidth

Info

Publication number: WO2004017562A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/001646
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeong-Je Park; Sung-Ha Park
Original assignee: Nstek Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-08-16
Filing date: 2003-08-14
Publication date: 2004-02-26
Also published as: KR20040016324A; AU2003254962A1; KR100445665B1

Abstract

A communication network management apparatus and method for distributing data at multiple bandwidths are provided. The communication network management apparatus is connected to a local network, a router routing packet data generated in the local network to an external network and connected to a first data transmission path, and a second data transmission path for transmitting data at a different bandwidth from a bandwidth of the first data transmission path. The communication network management apparatus includes a packet analyzer, which intercepts packet data transmitted from the local network to the router and analyzes header information of the packet data; a distribution processor, which bypasses packet data to be transmitted through the first data transmission path and changes header information of packet data to be transmitted through the second data transmission path according to the result of the analysis; a first interface unit, which transmits packet data bypassed by the distribution processor to the router so that the packet data is transmitted through the first data transmission path; and a second interface unit, which is connected to the second data transmission path and transmits packet data whose header information is changed by the distribution processor to the second data transmission path.

Description

COMMUNICATION NETWORK MANAGEMENT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING DATA IN VARIOUS BANDWIDTH

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a communication network management apparatus and method, and more particularly, to a communication network management apparatus, which is connected to a plurality of data transmission paths through which data at different bandwidths are transferred and which selects one among the plurality of data transmission paths according to the result of filtering a packet data received from a local network and transmits the packet data through the selected data transmission path, and a method thereof.

Background Art

With the wide spread of Internet, various and convenient Internet applications have been universally used, and traffic on the Internet has been rapidly increased. Recently, a transmission rate on a network is acutely decreased due to a traffic congestion. To solve the problem of traffic congestion, it is easiest way to upgrade wide area network (WAN) lines. However, upgrade of lines is just a temporary solution. When lines are upgraded whenever the traffic problem occurs, great expenses are continuously incurred, and a problem of lack in bandwidth due to increasing traffic cannot be overcome.

Conventionally, a plurality of data transmission paths supporting different bandwidth services are connected to a router which routes packet data from the inside of a local network to the outside of the local network. The router selects one among the plurality of data transmission paths according to the result of filtering a packet data under predetermined filtering conditions and transmits the packet data using the selected data transmission path. FIG. 1 shows an example of a conventional method. Referring to FIG. 1 , a router 20 connected to a local network 10 is designed to function as both a gateway and backup equipment so that the router 20 can operate in association with a plurality of data transmission paths 30 and 40 which support different bandwidth services. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the plurality of data transmission paths 30 and 40 are referred to a main line 30 and an auxiliary line 40, respectively. In this situation, a terminal 11 included in the local network 10 designates the router 20 as a gateway. In such a network, when the terminal 11 in the local network 10 forms packet data to transmit data to an external network and transmits the packet data, the router 20 filters the packet data to determine a transmission path for the packet data. In other words, the router 20 performs filtering under predetermined filtering conditions in order to determine whether to transmit the packet data through the main line 30 or the auxiliary line 40. The filtering conditions are predetermined when the network is structured and can be changed at any time by a network manager. The filtering conditions are set using information recorded in a header of packet data. Usually, a destination Internet protocol (IP) address of packet data is used.

For example, when a filtering condition for packet data to be transmitted through the main line 30 is that a destination IP address is 192.9.xxx.xxx, the router 20 transmits only packet data having 192.9-xxx.xxx as the destination IP address to the main line 30 and other packet data to the auxiliary line 40.

However, to distribute data at multiple bandwidths using the conventional method shown in FIG. 1 , existing routers functioning only as a gateway need to be replaced with routers functioning as both a gateway and backup equipment. Moreover, when the router 20 has a fault, all terminals in the local network 10 having the router 20 as a gateway are blocked from data transmission to and data reception from external networks.

To overcome these problems, in another conventional method, a separate backup device 15 is additionally installed, as shown in FIG. 1A, so that the backup device 15 functions as a gateway to an auxiliary line 40a. In this situation, a terminal 11a included in a local network 10a designates the backup device 15 as a gateway.

In such a network, when the terminal 11a in the local network 10a forms packet data to transmit data to an external network and transmits the packet data, the backup device 15 determines whether to transmit the packet data through a main line 30a or the auxiliary line 40 by performing filtering. According to the result of filtering, the backup device distributes packet data to be transmitted through the auxiliary line 40a to the auxiliary line 40a and transmits packet data to be transmitted through the main line 30a to a router 20a so that the packet data is transmitted to the main line 30a. The filtering performed by the backup device 15 is similar to that described with reference to FIG. 1 , and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

To implement the method shown in FIG. 1A, it is not necessary to replace existing routers, but gateway information included in all terminal in the local network 10a needs to be changed to indicate the backup device 15. Moreover, when the backup device 15 has a fault, the gateway information included in all of the terminals in the local network 10a needs to be changed to indicate the router 20a. In other words, since data at multiple bandwidths can be distributed just by changing gateway information of each terminal in the local network 10a without replacing hardware, the method shown in FIG. 1 A is more convenient than the method shown in FIG. 1.

However, it is also troublesome to change gateway information of each terminal included in the local network 10a whenever the backup device 15 is added, removed, or changed in the method shown in FIG. 1A.

Disclosure of the Invention The present invention provides a communication network management apparatus and method for distributing data at multiple bandwidths without replacing an existing gateway in a network and without changing gateway information of each terminal in a local network.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication network management apparatus which is connected to a local network, a router routing packet data generated in the local network to an external network and connected to a first data transmission path, and a second data transmission path for transmitting data at a different bandwidth from a bandwidth of the first data transmission path. The communication network management apparatus includes a packet analyzer, which intercepts packet data transmitted from the local network to the router and analyzes header information of the packet data; a distribution processor, which bypasses packet data to be transmitted through the first data transmission path and changes header information of packet data to be transmitted through the second data transmission path according to the result of the analysis; a first interface unit, which transmits packet data bypassed by the distribution processor to the router so that the packet data is transmitted through the first data transmission path; and a second interface unit, which is connected to the second data transmission path and transmits packet data whose header information is changed by the distribution processor to the second data transmission path.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication network management method of a communication network management apparatus which is connected to a local network, a router routing packet data generated in the local network to an external network and connected to a first data transmission path, and a second data transmission path for transmitting data at a different bandwidth from a bandwidth of the first data transmission path. The communication network management method includes intercepting packet data transmitted from the local network to the router and analyzing header information of the packet data; bypassing the packet data to the router when the packet data is determined as being transmitted through the first data transmission path as the result of the analysis and changing the header information of the packet data when the packet data is determined as being transmitted through the second data transmission path as the result of the analysis; and transmitting the packet data whose header information has been changed to the second data transmission path.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIGS. 1 and 1A are diagrams showing examples of a network structure for distributing data at multiple bandwidths according to conventional methods.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a network structure for distributing data at multiple bandwidths according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a communication network management apparatus for distributing data at multiple bandwidths according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a communication network management method for distributing data at multiple bandwidths according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Best mode for carrying out the Invention Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram of a network structure for distributing data at multiple bandwidths according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, to distribute data at multiple bandwidths according to the embodiment of the present invention, a communication network management apparatus 200 is connected to a local network 100, a router 300, and an auxiliary line 500.

The router 300 is connected to a main line 400 to route packet data generated in the local network 100 to an external network. The auxiliary line 500 is a data transmission path for transmitting data at a bandwidth different from a bandwidth of the main line 400. In other words, the main line 400 and auxiliary line 500 are data transmission paths supporting different bandwidth services. In FIG. 2, for clarity of the description, data transmission paths supporting different bandwidth services are divided into the main line 400 and the auxiliary line 500. In this situation, each terminal 100 included in the local network

110 designates the router 300 as a gateway. Although each terminal 100 in the local network 100 is connected to the router through the communication network management apparatus 200, the communication network management apparatus 200 does not function as a gateway. The communication network management apparatus 200 analyzes header information of packet data, detects only packet data to be transmitted through the auxiliary line 500, and changes the header information of the detected packet data so that the packet data can be separately transmitted to the auxiliary line 500. This operation will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 3. As the result of analyzing the header information of packet data, the packet data to be transmitted through the main line 400 bypasses the communication network management apparatus 200 and is transmitted to the router 300.

Accordingly, the communication network management apparatus 200 can distribute data at multiple bandwidths without influencing predetermined network configuration information of the local network 100.

In addition, when the communication network management apparatus 200 has a fault, all packet data are automatically transmitted to the router 300 designated as a gateway of the local network 100. This operation is also performed when power supply is interrupted. Therefore, a network using the communication network management apparatus 200 can provide reliable communication services.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the communication network management apparatus 200. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the communication network management apparatus 200 for distributing data at multiple bandwidths according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the communication network management apparatus 200 includes a packet analyzer 210, a distribution processor 220, a first interface unit 230, and a second interface unit 240.

The operations of the communication network management apparatus 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The packet analyzer 210 intercepts packet data transmitted from the local network 100 to the router 300 and analyzes the header information of the packet data. In particular, destination information (for example, a destination Internet protocol (IP) address or a destination media access control (MAC) address) included in the header information of the packet data is analyzed. Based on the result of analysis and predetermined filtering reference information, the packet analyzer 210 acquires information regarding a transmission path through which the packet data is to be transmitted.

Filtering is a process necessary for providing different bandwidth services based on a predetermined reference. A filtering method is already known, as described with reference to FIG. 1 , and thus a description thereof will be omitted. Reference information for the filtering can be set using various types of information included in the header information of packet data. Usually, destination address information (for example, a destination IP address or a destination MAC address) included in the header information of packet data is used as the filtering reference information. According to the result of analysis, the distribution processor 220 bypasses packet data to be transmitted through the main line 400 and changes the header information of packet data to be transmitted through the auxiliary line 500. In other words, the distribution processor 220 receives information regarding a transmission path, through which packet data is to be transmitted, from the packet analyzer 210, determines whether the packet data is to be transmitted through the main line 400 or the auxiliary line 500 based on the received information, bypasses the packet data when the packet data is determined as being transmitted through the main line 400, and changes destination information of the packet data into a MAC address of the communication network management apparatus 200 when the packet data is determined as being transmitted through the auxiliary line 500. Here, the communication network management apparatus 200 functions as a gateway for packet data directed to the auxiliary line 500. The MAC address is known to those skilled in the art, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The reason the MAC address instead of the IP address of the communication network management apparatus 200 is used as the destination information of packet data is because a destination MAC address is primarily referred to in order to determine the destination of the packet data when the packet data is transmitted from the local network 100.

The first interface unit 230 transmits packet data bypassed by the distribution processor 220 to the router 300 connected to the main line 400 so that the packet data is transmitted to the main line 400. The second interface unit 240 is connected to the auxiliary line 500 and transmits packet data whose header information has been changed by the distribution processor 220 to the auxiliary line 500.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a communication network management method for distributing data at multiple bandwidths according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication network management method is performed by a communication network management apparatus connected to a local network, a router, and an auxiliary line.

When packet data to be transmitted from the local network to an external network is generated, the communication network management apparatus intercepts the packet data and analyzes the header information of the packet data (S110). Based on the result of analysis and predetermined filtering reference information, information regarding a transmission path through which the packet data is to be transmitted is acquired. The filtering and the predetermined filtering reference information have been described with reference to FIG. 3, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted. A method of intercepting packet data is an application of a hacking technique advanced with the development of communication technology and is obvious to those skilled in the art, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A subsequent routing path is determined based on the result of analyzing the header information of the packet data (S120). In other words, it is determined whether the packet data is to be transmitted through a main line or an auxiliary line. The main line and the auxiliary line are data transmission paths for transmitting data at different bandwidths. For clarity of the description, the data transmission paths are divided into the main line and the auxiliary line.

The determination on the subsequent routing path is performed based on the information regarding the transmission path of the packet data, which is acquired in step S110. When it is determined that the subsequent routing path is the auxiliary line, the header information of the packet data, more specifically, destination address information of the packet data is changed (S130). In other words, the destination address information of the packet data is changed into a MAC address of an apparatus (i.e., the communication network management apparatus 200 of FIG. 3) functioning as a gateway of the auxiliary line. Next, the packet data is transmitted to the auxiliary line (S140). However, when it is determined that the subsequent routing path is the main line, the packet data is bypassed to the router (S150).

The above description just concerns embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is not restricted to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made thereto within the scope defined by the attached claims. For example, the shape and structure of each element specified in the embodiments can be changed.

Industrial Applicability

According to the present invention, data can be distributed just by changing the header information of packet data. Accordingly, data at multiple bandwidths can be distributed without replacing an existing gateway of a network or changing gateway information of all terminal included in a local network.

In addition, when a communication network management apparatus of the present invention has a fault, packet data from the local network is bypassed to a predetermined gateway, so network loss due to a fault in the apparatus can be prevented. This bypassing operation is also performed when power supply is interrupted. Therefore, the present invention guarantees the reliability of a network against any faults.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A communication network management apparatus which is connected to a local network, a router routing packet data generated in the local network to an external network and connected to a first data transmission path, and a second data transmission path for transmitting data at a different bandwidth from a bandwidth of the first data transmission path, the communication network management apparatus comprising: a packet analyzer, which intercepts packet data transmitted from the local network to the router and analyzes header information of the packet data; a distribution processor, which bypasses packet data to be transmitted through the first data transmission path and changes header information of packet data to be transmitted through the second data transmission path according to the result of the analysis; a first interface unit, which transmits packet data bypassed by the distribution processor to the router so that the packet data is transmitted through the first data transmission path; and a second interface unit, which is connected to the second data transmission path and transmits packet data whose header information is changed by the distribution processor to the second data transmission path.

2. The communication network management apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the packet analyzer analyzes the header information of the packet data and acquires destination information of the packet data based on predetermined filtering reference information and the result of analyzing the header information.

3. The communication network management apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the distribution processor determines whether the packet data is to be transmitted through the second data transmission path based on the destination information of the packet data acquired by the packet analyzer and changes the destination information of the packet data into a media access control (MAC) address of the communication network management apparatus when the packet data is determined as being transmitted through the second data transmission path.

4. A communication network management method of a communication network management apparatus which is connected to a local network, a router routing packet data generated in the local network to an external network and connected to a first data transmission path, and a second data transmission path for transmitting data at a different bandwidth from a bandwidth of the first data transmission path, the communication network management method comprising:

(a) intercepting packet data transmitted from the local network to the router and analyzing header information of the packet data;

(b) bypassing the packet data to the router when the packet data is determined as being transmitted through the first data transmission path as the result of the analysis and changing the header information of the packet data when the packet data is determined as being transmitted through the second data transmission path as the result of the analysis; and

(c) transmitting the packet data whose header information has been changed to the second data transmission path.

5. The communication network management method of claim 4, wherein step (a) comprises analyzing the header information of the packet data and acquiring destination information of the packet data based on predetermined filtering reference information and the result of analyzing the header information.

6. The communication network management method of claim 4 or 5, wherein step (b) comprises determining whether the packet data is to be transmitted through the second data transmission path based on the destination information of the packet data and changing the destination information of the packet data into a media access control (MAC) address of the communication network management apparatus when the packet data is determined as being transmitted through the second data transmission path.