JP3520904B2 - Communication interface device with address resolution function - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication interface device with an address resolution function for connecting to the Internet using a dial-up connection method using a communication line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a dial-up connection method is used as a method for connecting to the Internet using a communication line.
A communication interface device that implements the connection method is realized by a dial-up router device or the like.

In the dial-up router device currently put into practical use, Dynamic Host Config is used.
In many cases, a function called "Uration Protocol (DHCP)" is implemented. This DHCP function is a client (generally 1
When a personal computer connected via 0Base-T, etc., turns on the power and starts up, and then makes an allocation request for an Internet address (hereinafter referred to as an IP address), a predetermined range valid only under the dial-up router device Is a function for allocating the IP address of the client to the client.

On the Internet, the host name (logical name of client) corresponds to the host name I
The IP address corresponding to the host name is retrieved to the request source by searching the P address
Notify the address, and vice versa
As a function for searching the host name corresponding to the address and notifying the requester of the host name corresponding to the IP address, D
A function called "main Name System (DNS)" is widely known. However, the DNS functions effectively on the premise that the host name and the IP address are uniquely associated with each other in advance and that the association is registered in advance on the machine that provides the DNS. There is.

Usually, when communicating on the Internet, the IP address of the other party is added to the data and transmitted, but the connection request source inputs the host name of the connection destination instead of directly inputting the IP address of the other party. To do. At this time, the DNS described above automatically notifies the IP address corresponding to the host name, and the IP address is automatically given to the data transmitted to the other party.

However, when connecting to the Internet using the dial-up connection method, a client using the Internet does not have a predetermined IP address, and an IP is assigned each time the client connects to the Internet by the dial-up connection method. To be This assigned IP address differs for each connection.

For this reason, when clients such as the Internet use the dial-up connection method to start an application such as an Internet telephone, they must be dial-up connected to the Internet in advance. Since one of them needs to know the IP address assigned by the dial-up connection of the other party in advance, it is necessary to start the call with the other party by dialing the number of the other party like a general telephone. There is a problem that you cannot do it.

[0008]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
The invention of No. 294423 (hereinafter referred to as the prior invention) has been solved. That is, in the prior invention, in order to automatically obtain the address of the other party on the Internet and easily start the two-way communication on the Internet, the communication terminal sets the dial-up connection on the first line by the control unit. Done and after the internet address is done
The second line notifies the communication destination communication terminal of the Internet address and the information requesting the dial-up connection, and the communication destination communication terminal performs the dial-up connection through the third line to obtain the Internet address. After being assigned, the control to automatically notify the Internet address and the information for the notification is configured to be performed. In this prior invention, even if the client connected to the lower part of the communication interface device of the other party is in the stopped state, the dial-up connection is automatically performed, so that the unnecessary communication fee is charged. There was a problem.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, in addition to the prior invention, DHCP is used to automatically identify the start / stop state of the client connected to the lower part of the communication interface device. When the client is in a stopped state, the purpose is to prevent unnecessary charging of communication charges by notifying that the IP address inquiry request of the destination is rejected.

[0010]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a communication interface device for accommodating a plurality of communication lines and connecting to the Internet by dial-up connection, and at the bottom of the communication interface device. Local IP automatically for connected clients
A communication interface device capable of assigning an address, and further capable of changing a local IP address to a global IP address assigned by dial-up connection when transmitting data from the client to the Internet In a means for storing the name, telephone number, and global IP address of a remote host connected via a communication line in association with each other, and from a client connected to the lower part of the communication interface device, the means for storing the data. When a name inquiry corresponding to the name of the remote host is received, a telephone number corresponding to the name is searched from the storing means, the call is made, and a global IP address corresponding to the corresponding host name is requested. Send a notification and send it to the global IP address After receiving the notification of the reply, the first means (the control unit 3 of FIG. 1 corresponds to the sequence of FIG. 3) of notifying the client of the name inquiry source of the global IP address as the name reply, conversely, When a notification is received from the client, the communication interface device automatically makes a dial-up connection by using a line or a communication channel different from the line or the communication channel that received the notification, and the dial-up connection is made. And a second means for transmitting the global IP address assigned by (to the control unit 3 of FIG. 1 and the sequence of FIG. 3) to the request source, and has received the notification that the global IP address is requested. In this case, the local IP address assigned to the client and the host name corresponding to the client are stored in association with each other. If the host name is recognized to be in the activated state by the means for identifying the activated / deactivated state of the client depending on whether or not is stored, the operation by the second means is performed and it is in the deactivated state. When it is recognized, the operation of the second means is not performed, and the request of the destination is notified of rejection. As a result, when the client is in the stopped state, it is possible to prevent unnecessary charges for the communication fee by notifying the request of the callee that the request is rejected.

A global IP corresponding to the host name
Notification of the request for an address and notification of the global IP address corresponding to the host name are performed using the information element group included in the call control information for controlling transmission / reception with the communication line. It was done like this.

Further, the global I corresponding to the host name
The notification that the P address is requested and the notification of the global IP address corresponding to the host name are performed using the D channel packet communication mode of ISDN.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a communication interface device with an address resolution function including the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a communication interface device with an address resolution function including the present invention.

[0015] 1 ensures the electrical interface with the client and the matching of the data transmission / reception procedure,
It is an R point interface unit that transmits and receives data. Reference numeral 2 denotes a network interface section for transmitting / receiving data by ensuring the electrical interface with the network and ensuring the matching of data transmission / reception procedures. The network interface unit 2 performs call control such as originating and receiving according to an instruction from the control unit 3. The control unit 3
Data is transmitted and received between the R-point interface unit 1 and the network interface unit 2, and the transmitted and received data is analyzed and included in the call control information element to create a message for notifying the other party, and included in the call control information element. And analyze the message notified by the other party. Further, the control unit 3 controls PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol), TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), and UDP (User Datagram).
It performs protocol control, IP (Internet Protocol) control, DHCP control and address resolution control including the present invention. It should be noted that the present invention is in the relationship of being positioned in the upper layer of each of the above-mentioned controls.

The control unit 3 allocates a local IP address in response to a request from the client,
After allocating the address, an inquiry is made for the host name using the allocated local IP address as an argument, and when the reply to the inquiry is received, the client having the host name is recognized as the activated state.

Here, the operation of the address resolution control including the present invention in the control section 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, (11) to (15), (21) to (27) of FIG.
(31)-(35), (41), and (42) show each step.

When the control unit 3 receives the IP address allocation request from the client (11), it searches the free local IP address in the local address table 5 (FIG. 2) and returns the local IP address as an IP address allocation response. Is notified to the client as (12). Then, a notification is sent as a name inquiry that the host name is notified using the IP address assigned to the client (1
3) When the name reply from the client is received (1
4) The local IP address and the host name are associated and recorded in the local address table 5 (15).
The control unit 3 discriminates whether or not the host is in operation by checking whether or not there is a correspondence between the local IP address and the host name in the local address table 5.

Next, a name inquiry requesting the IP address corresponding to the remote host name from the client is executed.
When receiving via the R point interface unit 1 (21),
First, the first address table 6 (FIG. 2) is searched, and if the remote host name and the telephone number are stored in association with each other (22), secondly, the second address table 7 is referred to. , After the dial-up connection is made through the first line or communication channel and the IP address allocation is completed (23), the first line remains connected and the remote host name in the first address table 6 is handled again. The telephone number to be searched is searched, and the notification of the IP address inquiry to the remote host is sent using the call control information element of "call setting" (24). Then, after receiving the notification of the IP address reply with the call release information element of "release complete" (2
5) The IP address is notified to the inquiry source client as a name reply via the R point interface unit 1 (26).

In the first procedure, if the remote host name and the telephone number are not stored in association with each other ((2)
2) As a name reply to the inquiry source client, the fact that the host name is unknown is notified via the R point interface unit 1 (27).

On the contrary, the control unit 3 controls the network interface unit 2
When the notification indicating the inquiry about the IP address is detected via (31), first, the local address table 5 is searched to determine whether the host is in the activated state. Stopped state (IP assigned to host name
If there is no address) (32), a notification indicating rejection of the IP address reply is given by the call control information element of "release complete" (35). If the result of the determination is that it is in operation (32), secondly, referring to the second address table 7, dial-up connection is made through the first line or communication channel, and the IP address allocation is completed. After doing (2
3) While the first line is still connected, the IP address is notified to the inquiry source via the network interface unit 2 as the IP address reply using the call control information element of "release completed" (34).

When the control unit 3 detects the notification of the refusal of the IP address reply via the network interface unit 2 (41), the host name is unknown as the name reply to the inquiring client. Is notified via the R point interface unit 1 (42).

Returning to FIG. 1, each part will be described.

Reference numeral 4 is a data frame control unit for converting the data received from the R point interface unit 1 via the control unit 3 into a data frame to be sent to the network. Reference numeral 5 is a local address table for storing a local IP address assigned to the client in response to a request from the client and a host name using the assigned IP address. Reference numeral 6 is a first address table for storing a remote host name, a telephone number and a global IP address which are connected via the Internet in association with each other. 7
Is the connection destination information when the user using the communication interface device connects to the Internet.
It is a 2nd address table which links | relates and memorize | stores a telephone number, a user ID, and a password.

Further, FIG. 2 shows each table 5 in FIG.
7 to 7 are configuration examples of a local address table, a first address table, and a second address table, respectively.

Reference numeral 11 is an area for storing a local IP address. Necessary information is stored in the storage area according to a predetermined procedure. An area 12 stores a host name. Reference numeral 21 is an area for storing a remote host name. Necessary information is stored in the storage area according to a predetermined procedure. An area 22 stores a telephone number corresponding to the remote host name. Necessary information is stored in the storage area according to a predetermined procedure. Reference numeral 23 is an area for storing a global IP address corresponding to the remote host name. 31 is
This area stores the name of the dial-up connection destination. Necessary information is stored in the storage area according to a predetermined procedure. Reference numeral 32 is an area for storing the telephone number of the dial-up connection destination. Necessary information is stored in the storage area according to a predetermined procedure. 33 is
This is an area for storing a user ID required for dial-up connection. Necessary information is stored in the storage area according to a predetermined procedure. Reference numeral 34 is an area for storing a password required for dial-up connection. Necessary information is stored in the storage area according to a predetermined procedure. Reference numeral 35 is an area for storing the global IP address assigned by the dial-up connection.

[0027]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, means for storing the name, telephone number and global IP address of a remote host connected via a communication line in association with each other,
When a name inquiry corresponding to the name of the remote host stored by the storing means is received from the client connected to the lower part of the communication interface device, the telephone number corresponding to the name is stored from the storing means. After searching, sending, sending a notification requesting the global IP address corresponding to the corresponding host name, and receiving the notification of the global IP address from the callee, as a name reply to the client that made the name inquiry On the contrary to the first means for notifying the global IP address, when a notification from the client is received, a line or communication channel different from the line or communication channel receiving the notification is used, The communication interface device automatically makes a dial-up connection and is assigned by the dial-up connection. And a second means for transmitting the assigned global IP address to the request source, and when receiving the notification that the global IP address is requested, the local IP address assigned to the client and the client are handled. If the host name is recognized to be in the activated state by the means for identifying the activated / deactivated state of the client depending on whether or not the stored host name is stored in association with the stored host name, When the operation by the second means is performed and it is recognized that it is in the stopped state, the operation by the second means is not performed, and notification of refusal is made to the request of the destination, Between communication terminals connected to the Internet, the address of the person you want to communicate on the Internet can be automatically acquired, and you can easily start bidirectional communication on the Internet. Not Rubakari, if the client is in the stopped state, by a notification of refusal of effect to the destination of the request, it is possible to prevent the charging of unwanted communication charges.

The second invention according to the present invention sends notification of requesting a global IP address corresponding to a host name and notification of a global IP address corresponding to a host name to a communication line. Since the information element group included in the call control information for controlling outgoing / incoming call is used, and the third invention is performed by using the D channel packet communication mode of ISDN. The price will be low.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a communication interface with an address resolution function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a local address table, a first address table, and a second address table.

FIG. 3 is a control flow diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 R point interface section 2 Network interface section 3 control unit 4 Data frame control section 5 Local address table 6 First address table 7 Second address table 11 Local IP address storage area 12 Host name storage area 21 Remote host name storage area 22 Telephone number storage area 23 Global IP address storage area 31 Dial-up connection destination name storage area 32 phone number storage area 33 User ID storage area 34 Password storage area 35 Global IP address storage area

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 12/56 G06F 13/00 353

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A communication interface device for accommodating a plurality of communication lines and connecting to the Internet by a dial-up connection, and a local I automatically connecting to a client connected to a lower part of the communication interface device.
A communication interface capable of assigning a P address and changing a local IP address to a global IP address assigned by a dial-up connection when transmitting data from the client to the Internet In the device, means for storing the name, telephone number, and global IP address of a remote host connected via a communication line in association with each other, and from a client connected to the lower part of the communication interface device, the means for storing the data. When a name inquiry corresponding to the name of the remote host is received, a telephone number corresponding to the name is retrieved from the storing means, the call is made, and a global IP address corresponding to the corresponding host name is requested. Of the Global I The first means for notifying the client of the name inquiry source of the global IP address as a name reply after receiving the notification of the address, and conversely, when the notification is received from the client, the notification is received. The communication interface device automatically makes a dial-up connection using a line or communication channel different from the established line or communication channel, and sends the global IP address assigned by the dial-up connection to the request source. When receiving the notification requesting the global IP address, the local IP address assigned to the client and the host name corresponding to the client are stored in association with each other. Depending on whether it is stored or not,
By means of identifying the start / stop status of the client,
When the host name is recognized as being in the activated state, the operation by the second means is performed, and when it is recognized as being in the stopped state, the operation by the second means is not performed and the destination is A communication interface device with an address resolution function, which notifies the request of refusal. 2. A call for performing notification of a request for a global IP address corresponding to a host name and a notification of a global IP address corresponding to a host name for controlling sending and receiving with a communication line. The communication interface device with an address resolution function according to claim 1, wherein the communication interface device includes an information element group included in the control information. 3. The notification of requesting the global IP address corresponding to the host name and the notification of the global IP address corresponding to the host name are performed using the D channel packet communication mode of ISDN. A communication interface device with an address resolution function according to claim 1.