JP6892632B2 - Communication system, network connection device, connection processing program and connection response program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system, device, or program that enables appropriate connection to a plurality of Web servers through a higher-level network through, for example, a Web client device such as a personal computer.

Patent Document 1, which will be described later, discloses an invention relating to an image processing system or the like that provides an appropriate user interface by using a redirect process. For example, suppose that a web client (personal computer) issues a processing request to an image processing device on the Internet by an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) command to perform image processing. The image processing device returns the result of image processing to the requesting web client, but it may not be possible to return an easy-to-understand and sufficient response to the web client user only with the information held by the device. ..

Therefore, in the case of the invention described in Patent Document 1, the image processing apparatus instructs the web client to provide the image processing result and redirect to the web server for the display processing service. In response to this, the web client accesses the web server for the display processing service, provides the image processing result from the image processing device, and requests the provision of the processing result information. The web server for the display processing service forms the processing result information according to the image processing result and provides it to the web client.

As a result, the user interface displayed on the web client can be easily customized according to the usage pattern and preference of the user of the web client by using the function of the web server for the display processing service of the redirect destination. That is, it is possible to return an easy-to-understand and sufficient response to the user of the web client.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-157552

However, in the case of the invention described in Patent Document 1, when the image processing device is accessed from the web client and redirected to the display processing service web server, the URL of the display processing service web server is set in the image processing device in advance. You need to do it. In recent years, a relatively large-scale communication system may be constructed by using a plurality of network connection devices. The network connection device is provided with a router function, a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server function, and the like.

The network connection device receives an IP address from the DHCP server located at the upper level, and also assigns an IP address to the lower device. Generally, the assigned IP address is variable, for example, it is reassigned at predetermined time intervals, or it is reassigned every time the power supply is restarted by the own machine. In many cases. Therefore, if you want to access a predetermined network connection device and redirect to another network connection device, you must set the latest IP address of the other network connection device in the predetermined network connection device. It doesn't become.

If the latest IP address of the other network connection device is not set in the predetermined network connection device, the redirect to the other network connection device cannot be performed. Further, even when the predetermined network connection device assigns an IP address to another network connection device, it is not possible to specify another network connection device intended by the user depending on the variable IP address. difficult. Therefore, for example, from a maintenance PC (Personal Computer) used for maintenance, a plurality of network connection devices are specified and connected from the WAN (Wide Area Network) side (upper side) using an IP address, and the target network is connected. It is difficult to maintain the connected device.

Therefore, in order to perform maintenance of each of the plurality of network connection devices using the maintenance PC, the maintenance PC is connected to each of the plurality of network connection devices from the LAN (Local Area Network) side (lower side). It will be necessary to redo. Therefore, maintenance of each network connection device using the maintenance PC takes time and effort, and it becomes difficult to properly maintain the entire large-scale communication system.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to make each of a plurality of network connection devices having a variable IP address (URL) accessible from the upper network and maintainable.

In order to solve the above problems, the communication system of the invention according to claim 1 is
A line termination device connected to a wide area network, a connection device master unit connected to the line termination device, and one or more connection device slave units and maintenance devices connected to the connection device master unit through a local area network. It is a communication system consisting of
The connection device master unit is
A storage means for storing device identification information assigned to each of the one or more connected device slave units, and a storage means for storing the device identification information.
In response to a request from the maintenance device, a list of one or more connected device slave units is created based on the device identification information of the storage means, and a slave unit list providing means provided to the maintenance device is provided.
A maintenance permission request including the device identification information of the connection device slave unit to be maintained selected through the list in the maintenance device is provided to one or more connection device slave units, and the connection device slave to be maintained is provided. Provided with a connection information providing means for providing connection information to the maintenance device with permission from the machine.
The connection device slave unit
A permission response forming means for forming a maintenance permission response and providing the connection device master unit to the connection device master unit when a maintenance permission request including the device identification information of the own unit is received from the connection device master unit is provided.
The maintenance device is
A list request means for forming a request for providing a list of one or more connected device slave units and transmitting the list to the connected device master unit.
A reception means that receives a list of the connection device slave units provided by the connection device master unit and accepts selection input of the connection device slave unit to be maintained through the list.
A connection request means that forms a connection request for the selected connection device slave unit and provides the connection request to the connection device master unit in response to the selection input received through the reception means.
It is characterized by including a connection executing means for accessing the selected connection device slave unit and connecting a communication line based on the connection information from the connection device master unit.

According to the communication system of the invention according to claim 1, the connecting device master unit receives registration of device identification information of the connecting device slave unit and holds it in the storage means. In response to a request from the maintenance device, the slave unit list providing means of the connection device master unit creates a slave unit list based on the device identification information of the storage means and provides the slave unit list to the maintenance device. Then, the connection information providing means of the connection device master unit applies for maintenance permission to the connection device slave unit selected from the slave unit list. If maintenance permission is obtained in response to this application, the connection information providing means provides the upper IP address of the connection device slave unit to the maintenance device, and the connection device master unit sends the connection device. Make it possible to connect to the slave unit.

On the other hand, when the permission response type means of the connection device slave unit receives a maintenance permission request including the device identification information of its own unit from the connection device master unit, it forms a maintenance permission response and provides it to the connection device master unit. To do. Further, in the maintenance device, the list list requesting means forms a request for providing the list of the connecting device slave units and provides the maintenance device to the connecting device master unit, and the receiving means is the connecting device slave unit from the connecting device master unit. The selection input of the connection device slave unit to be maintained is accepted through the list.

Then, the connection requesting means forms a connection request for the selected connecting device slave unit according to the selection input received through the receiving means and provides the connection request to the connecting device master unit. After that, the connection processing is completed by the connection executing means accessing the selected connection device slave unit based on the connection information from the connection device master unit. As a result, the maintenance device can be connected to the connection device slave unit for maintenance.

According to the present invention, it is possible to access and maintain each of a plurality of network connection devices having a variable IP address (URL) from the upper side.

It is a figure for demonstrating the configuration example of the communication system of embodiment. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the configuration example of the connection apparatus of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the assigned IP address table. It is a figure which shows the example of the slave unit table. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the configuration example of the maintenance PC. It is a figure for demonstrating the display example of the slave unit list. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the connection process to a slave unit from the slave unit list performed by the communication system of embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the structure of the packet transmitted between connection devices. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline of the option of the packet which transmits the base unit information. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the registration request for performing the slave unit registration. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process when the master unit setting and the slave unit setting are automatically performed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the system, apparatus, and program of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Communication system configuration example]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the communication system of this embodiment. In FIG. 1, the line terminating device 1 is connected to the end of the wide area network, and the device on the user side is connected to the wide area network. The line termination device is called an ONU (Optical Network Unit) and is connected to an optical communication network, which is a wide area network, to convert between optical and electrical signals and to multiplex / separate optical signals. There is something. Further, some line termination devices are called modems, which are connected to, for example, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) and perform conversion between digital signals and analog signals. In this embodiment, the line terminating device is, for example, OUN.

Each of the connection device master unit 2 (1) and the connection device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) realizes a function as a network connection device. That is, each of the connecting device master unit 2 (1) and the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) has a router function, a DHCP server function, etc., and connects different communication networks and is under the control. Assign a private IP address to the connected communication device. In the communication system of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the connecting device master unit 2 (1) is connected directly under the line terminating device 1. Then, the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) and the maintenance PC (Personal Computer) are connected to the connecting device master unit 2 (1) via the LAN 4.

As described above, in the communication system of this embodiment, the connecting device master unit 2 (1) is a higher-level device (master unit) closer to the wide area network, and the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) and The maintenance PC is a device (lower device (slave unit)) under the connection device master unit 2 (1). Therefore, even if the connecting device has the same function, the master unit and the slave unit are distinguished from each other.

Then, in FIG. 1, for example, "xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx" is assigned as a global IP address from the ISP (Internet Service Provider) side to the connecting device master unit 2 (1). Further, in FIG. 1, the connecting device master unit 2 (1) uses the DHCP server function of the own unit to support the own unit, the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (4), and the maintenance PC3. , Shows the case where a private IP address is assigned. That is, the IP address "192.168.1.1" is assigned to the connecting device master unit 2 (1), and the IP address "192.168. 1." is assigned to the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5). "1.2" to "192.168.1.5" are assigned. Further, the maintenance PC 3 is assigned an IP address "192.168.1.50".

In this way, the connecting device master unit 2 (1) has a common network unit up to the segment shown underlined in each IP address for the own unit and the devices connected under the own unit. An IP address of "192.168.1" is assigned. Then, in consideration of the fact that the connection configuration of the connection device master unit 2 (1) is changed due to the replacement, removal, or addition of the devices connected under the control device, the connection configuration is changed at regular intervals. The IP address is reassigned (reassigned) to. Also, when the power of the device connected to the subordinate is turned off and then turned on again, the IP address is reassigned. As described above, the IP address assigned by the connecting device master unit 2 (1) is not unchanged once assigned, but is variable.

Connection device Each of the slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) also has a function of assigning a private IP address to a device connected under the control. As shown underlined in FIG. 1, the connecting device slave unit 2 (2) is assigned an IP address whose network unit is "192.168.2", and the connecting device slave unit 2 (3) is assigned an IP address. , The network part assigns an IP address of "192.168.3". Similarly, the connecting device slave unit 2 (4) is assigned an IP address whose network unit is "192.168.4", and the connecting device slave unit 2 (5) is assigned an IP address whose network unit is "192.168.5". Assign the IP address that becomes.

Then, the connecting device master unit 2 (1) and the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) connect the network configured under the own unit and the network existing above the own unit. , Allows communication between devices connected to those different networks. Further, in each of the connecting device master unit 2 (1) and the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5), the installation worker manually determines whether the own unit is the master unit or the slave unit. It is designed to be able to be set. This setting is generally accessed from the lower side (LAN side) through, for example, a maintenance PC.

In the communication system configured in this way, the IP addresses assigned to the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) and the maintenance PC 3 are variable and may change. Therefore, even if the IP addresses are assigned to the connection device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5), the user of the maintenance PC 3 cannot reliably identify each of them. Therefore, in the communication system of this embodiment, the MAC address (Media Access Control Address) is previously set as the device identification information of the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) in the connecting device master unit 2 (1). Make sure to register with.

The user of the maintenance PC 3 identifies each of the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) by using the MAC address registered in the connecting device master unit 2 (1). Then, the user of the maintenance PC 3 can perform maintenance (maintenance) by connecting each of the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) from the upper side (WAN side) through the maintenance PC 3. Hereinafter, configuration examples of the connection device master unit 2 (1), the connection device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5), and the maintenance PC 3 that constitute the communication system of this embodiment will be described.

[Configuration example of connecting device 2]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the connecting device master unit 2 (1) and the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) of this embodiment. The connection device master unit 2 (1) and the connection device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) have the same basic configuration. Therefore, here, the connecting device master unit 2 (1) and the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) are collectively referred to as the connecting device 2.

The connecting device 2 of this embodiment is roughly divided into a basic function unit, a master unit processing unit 220, and a slave unit processing unit 230. The basic function part is a part that realizes the basic functions as a router. Further, the master unit processing unit 220 is a processing unit that operates when the connecting device 2 functions as a connecting device master unit, and the slave unit processing unit 230 is a processing unit that operates when the connecting device 2 functions as a connecting device slave unit. It is a processing unit that operates.

The basic function unit includes a connection port 201 to the upper network, an upper I / F 202, an address assignment unit 203, a routing processing unit 204, a storage device 205, a connection port 206 to the lower network, a lower I / F 207, and a control unit 210. Consists of. Although not shown, the control unit 210 is a microprocessor in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a non-volatile memory, and the like are connected via a bus, and is a connecting device. Control each part of 2.

The connection port 201 to the upper network is a connection end to the upper network. The upper I / F 202 converts the packet addressed to its own machine transmitted through the upper network into a format that can be processed by its own machine and takes it in, or converts the packet sent from its own machine to the upper network into a transmission format. Performs processing such as conversion and transmission. The address assignment unit 203 is a part that realizes a DHCP server function, and realizes a function of assigning a private IP address to a device located below the own machine.

The routing processing unit 204 performs a process of determining the transfer destination of the packet sent from the own machine according to the routing table stored in the storage device 205 described later. The storage device 205 includes a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory having a relatively large storage capacity and a driver thereof, and writes, reads, deletes, and the like data on the recording medium. In this embodiment, the storage device 205 stores a routing table, an assigned IP address table, a slave unit table, and the like.

The routing table is a table referenced by the routing processing unit 204 described above, and records data for determining the best route to various destinations on the network. The assigned IP address table manages the local IP addresses assigned to the subordinate devices. The slave unit table manages the connection device slave units connected under the control of the own unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the assigned IP address table, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the slave unit table. 3 and 4 show an example of an assigned IP address table and an example of a slave unit table formed in the storage device 205 of the connecting device master unit 2 (1).

As shown in FIG. 3, the assigned IP address table manages the IP addresses assigned (assigned) to the subordinate devices by the address assigning unit 203. As a result, the same IP address is not given twice. As shown in FIG. 4, the slave unit table includes information of "MAC address", "type", "access date and time", and "others". The "MAC address" is device identification information of a subordinate device, and is, for example, information preset by a communication network installation worker or the like. The "type" is information indicating what kind of device the subordinate device in which the MAC address is registered is, for example, information preset by a communication network installation worker or the like.

These "MAC address" and "type" can be set for the connecting device master unit 2 (1) through, for example, the maintenance PC 3. In this example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is managed that four connecting device slave units and one PC are connected under the connecting device master unit 2 (1).

The "access date and time" is information indicating when the device specified by the MAC address is accessed through the maintenance PC 3, and is information updated by the control unit 210 of the connecting device master unit 2 (1). is there. As "others", necessary information such as information indicating the installation location of the connection device slave unit such as the first floor or the second floor, the sales department or the general affairs department, the north, south, east, or west can be stored. When managing the information indicating the installation location as other information, the information indicating the installation location is set in advance through the maintenance PC 3 by the installation worker of the communication network or the like. Then, the information in the slave unit table shown in FIG. 4 is used when forming the slave unit list when the connecting device 2 functions as the connecting device master unit.

The connection port 206 to the lower network is a connection end to the lower network. The lower I / F 207 converts the packet addressed to the own machine transmitted through the lower network into a format that can be processed by the own machine and takes it in, or converts the packet sent from the own machine to the lower network into a transmission format. Performs processing such as conversion and transmission.

As shown in FIG. 2, the master unit processing unit 220 includes a slave unit list providing unit 221, a connection information providing unit 222, and a master unit information providing unit 223. In response to a request from the maintenance PC3, the slave unit list providing unit 221 creates a list of one or more connected device slave units (slave unit list) based on the slave unit table (FIG. 4), and creates a list of slave units (slave unit list). Perform the processing provided to.

In response to a request from the maintenance PC3 provided with the slave unit list, the connection information providing unit 222 requests maintenance permission including the MAC address of the connected device slave unit to be maintained selected through the slave unit list. To form. Then, the connection information providing unit 222 provides the formed maintenance permission request to one or more subordinate connection device slave units, and from the maintenance target connection device slave unit specified by the MAC address included in the maintenance permission request. With the permission of, the maintenance PC 3 is provided with the information for reconnection. As a result, the maintenance PC 3 can be connected from the connecting device master unit 2 (1) to the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) to be maintained.

As described above, whether the connecting device 2 functions as the connecting device master unit or the connecting device slave unit has been described as being set in advance by the installation worker of the communication system. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the connecting device 2 of this embodiment can automatically set the connecting device master unit and the connecting device slave unit.

Specifically, the connecting device master unit transmits specific information indicating that the own unit is the master unit to the subordinate connecting device connected to the lower network. In addition, when the subordinate connecting device receives specific information indicating that it is a master unit through a higher-level network, it determines that the own unit is a connecting device slave unit, and the slave unit with respect to the connecting device master unit. Make sure to register. It is assumed that the control unit 210 of the connection device 2 has determined that it has not received specific information indicating that it is a master unit through a higher-level network. In this case, under the control of the control unit 210, the master unit information providing unit 223 recognizes that the master unit is a master unit, switches the own unit to function as the master unit, and indicates that the master unit is the master unit. Performs the process of transmitting specific information to the subordinate connection device connected to the lower network.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slave unit processing unit 230 includes a permission response forming unit 231 and a slave unit information registration unit 232. When the permission response forming unit 231 receives the maintenance permission request including the MAC address of its own unit from the connection device master unit, the permission response forming unit 231 forms a maintenance permission response and provides it to the connection device master unit. As a result, as described above, the connecting device master unit can provide the maintenance PC with connection information for connecting to the connecting device slave unit to be maintained.

Further, it is assumed that the control unit 210 has determined that it has received specific information indicating that it is a master unit through a higher-level network, as described above. In this case, under the control of the control unit 210, the slave unit information registration unit 232 switches the switching unit so that the slave unit functions as the slave unit, and connects information indicating that the slave unit is the slave unit. It provides the device to the master unit and performs a process to register the own unit as a slave unit.

As described above, when the connecting device 2 functions as the connecting device master unit, the slave unit list providing unit 221 and the connection information providing unit 222 of the master unit processing unit 220 function and function as the connecting device slave unit. In this case, the permission response forming unit 231 of the slave unit processing unit 230 functions. As a result, the maintenance PC 3 can be appropriately connected to the target connection device slave unit from the WAN side (upper side). Further, when the connecting device 2 functions as a connecting device master unit, the master unit information providing unit 223 of the master unit processing unit 220 functions, and when functioning as a connecting device slave unit, the slave unit processing unit 230 The slave unit information registration unit 232 of the above can function to control switching between the master unit and the slave unit.

[Configuration example of maintenance PC3]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the maintenance PC3 used in the communication system of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the maintenance PC 3 of this embodiment includes a LAN port 301T, a LANI / F301, a display controller 302, a display 303, an audio output processing unit 304, a speaker 305, and a connection execution unit 306.

Further, the maintenance PC 3 includes a control unit 320, a hard disk driver (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 310, an operation input interface (hereinafter referred to as operation input I / F) 308, and an operation unit 309. The control unit 320 is a microprocessor formed by connecting a CPU 321, a ROM 322, and a RAM 323 through a bus. The control unit 320 controls each unit of the maintenance PC 3 and also functions as an application execution unit that executes various application software. The HDD 310 includes a hard disk and a mechanism for writing / reading data to the hard disk.

The display controller 302 and the display 303 form a display output interface, the voice output processing unit 304 and the speaker 305 form a voice output interface, and the operation input I / F 308 and the operation unit 309 form an input interface. That is, these constitute a user interface, and information can be input to the input screen displayed on the display through the operation unit 309, and input guidance and warning sounds can be provided by voice. ing. The operation unit 309 is a pointing device called a keyboard, a mouse, or the like.

By connecting the maintenance PC 3 to the LAN 4 through the LAN port 301T, as described with reference to FIG. 1, the maintenance PC 3 is connected to the connecting device master unit 2 (1) in the same manner as the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5). ) Is connected. The LANI / F301 of the maintenance PC 3 converts the packet addressed to the own machine transmitted through the LAN 4 into a format that can be processed by the own machine and captures it, and also converts the packet transmitted from the own machine into a format for transmission. And send it. The control unit 320 also functions as a packet processing unit that decomposes received and captured packets so that they can be used, and generates packets for transmission.

Then, in the maintenance PC 3, the control unit 320 and the connection execution unit 306 mainly function, so that the connection device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) are based on the information from the connection device master unit 2 (1). ), So that the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) can be maintained. That is, the control unit 320 accesses the connection device master unit 2 (1) in response to the instruction input from the user received through the operation unit 309, and requests the provision of the slave unit list. In response to this, since the slave unit list is provided from the connection device master unit 2 (1), the control unit 320 displays the slave unit list on the display 303 through the display controller 302.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a display example of the slave unit list on the display 303. As shown in FIG. 6, the slave unit list of this example is a list of connected device slave units connected under the connecting device master unit 2 (1), and has a MAC address and an access date. Then, the user of the maintenance PC 3 positions the cursor CS in the line including the MAC address corresponding to the connection device slave unit to be maintained in the connection device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5). Then, by performing an operation of selecting the "OK" button provided on the lower end side of the display 302, the connecting device slave unit on which the cursor CS is positioned can be selected as the maintenance target.

In this embodiment, the MAC addresses of the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) are registered with the connecting device master unit 2 (1) by the communication network installation worker who is the user of the maintenance PC 3. This is the information that was given. Therefore, the user of the maintenance PC 3 knows the MAC addresses of the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5), and can select the target connecting device slave unit. In this way, when the connection device slave unit to be maintained is selected, a connection request to the connection device slave unit including the MAC address of the selected connection device slave unit is formed, and this is sent to the connection device master unit 2 Send to (1).

The connection device master unit 2 (1) that receives the connection request to the connection device performs maintenance including the MAC address of the connection device slave unit to be maintained for each connection device slave unit 2 (2) to 2 (5). It provides a permission request and waits for a permission response from the connection device slave unit specified by the MAC address. Then, when the connection device master unit 2 (1) receives the maintenance permission response from the connection device slave unit to be maintained, the connection device master unit 2 (1) provides the maintenance connection response including the IP address of the connection device slave unit to be maintained to the maintenance PC 3. After that, the connection execution unit 306 of the maintenance PC uses the IP address included in the maintenance permission response from the connection device master unit 2 (1) under the control of the control unit 320 to set the connection device slave unit to be maintained. You will be able to connect and perform maintenance.

In this way, the control unit 320 of the maintenance PC 3 realizes a function as a slave unit list request unit and a function as a connection request generation unit for the connection device slave unit to be maintained. Further, the control unit 320 and the user interface including the display 302 and the operation unit 309 realize a function as a reception unit for receiving the selection input of the connection device slave unit to be maintained. Then, the connection execution unit that functions under the control of the control unit 320 realizes a function of executing the connection process.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the list of connected device slave units is displayed on the display 303, the operation of selecting the "end" button provided on the lower end side of the display 302 is performed. To do. In this case, the control unit 320 ends the selection process of the connecting device slave unit, deletes the list of connecting device slave units from the display 303, and returns to the state before the display of the list of connecting device slave units. To be done.

Further, in the slave unit list shown in FIG. 6, the sequence number corresponding to the slave unit such as slave unit 1, slave unit 2, ..., MAC address, and access date are shown, but the present invention is limited to this. It's not a thing. For example, it is possible to display information indicating the installation location of the connecting device slave unit in other information of the slave unit table of the connecting device master unit 2 (1).

[Maintenance processing of connected device slave unit]
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining the connection process to the slave unit from the slave unit list performed by the communication system of this embodiment. That is, FIG. 7 shows a process in which the maintenance PC 3 connects to the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) based on the information from the connecting device master unit 2 (1) and maintains them. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating. Before starting the processing of the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the following preparations are prepared in the communication system of this embodiment.

That is, (a) the connecting device master unit 2 (1) is connected directly under the line terminating device 1. (B) Connection device base unit 2 (1) from the network on the LAN side of the connection device base unit 2 (1) (in this example, the network part of the IP address is "192.168.1 side") through the maintenance PC3. Connect (access) to and set the master unit. (C) Connect to the connection device master unit 2 (1) from the LAN side of the connection device master unit 2 (1) through the maintenance PC 3, and register the MAC addresses and the like of the connection device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5). .. (2) Connection device The slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) are connected to the network (LAN4) whose IP address network unit is "192.168.1 side". (E) The connection device master unit 2 (1) assigns an IP address to the connection device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5).

After the preparations shown in (a) to (e) above are completed, the maintenance PC 3 is based on the information from the connecting device master unit 2 (1), and the target connecting device slave unit 2 (2) to It is made possible to perform maintenance by connecting to 2 (5). That is, the maintenance PC 3 can be maintained by connecting from the WAN side (upper side) instead of connecting from the LAN side (lower side) of the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5).

A specific description will be given with reference to FIG. 7. It is assumed that, among the connection device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5), for example, the connection device slave unit 2 (5) needs to be maintained through the maintenance PC3. In this case, the user of the maintenance PC 3 uses the maintenance PC 3 to connect from the network on the LAN side (in this example, the network part of the IP address is "192.168.1 side") to the connection device master unit 2 (1). Connect to the maintenance page of (step S1). As described with reference to FIG. 1, since the maintenance PC 3 is connected to the device master unit 2 (1) through the LAN 4 as a device under the connecting device master unit 2 (1), the connecting device master unit 2 (1) is connected through the LAN 4. Can be connected to 1).

Then, the control unit 320 of the maintenance PC 3 forms a request for providing a list of slave units, and transmits this to the connection device master unit 2 (1) (step S2). Upon receiving the slave unit list provision request, the connection device master unit 2 (1) creates a slave unit list list based on the slave unit table (FIG. 4) of the storage device 205 with the slave unit list providing unit 221 functioning. This is provided to the maintenance PC 3 of the request source (step S3). The control unit 320 of the maintenance PC 3 that has received the slave unit list list displays the slave unit list on the display 303 through the display controller 302, and accepts the selection input of the connection device master unit to be maintained (step S4).

Here, it is assumed that the user of the maintenance PC 3 selects a line including the MAC address of the connecting device slave unit 2 (5) through the displayed slave unit list, for example, as described with reference to FIG. In this case, the control unit 320 of the maintenance PC 3 forms a connection request to the connection device slave unit including the MAC address of the selected connection device slave unit 2 (5), and sends this to the connection device master unit 2 (1). Transmit (step S5). The connection information providing unit 222 of the connection device master unit 2 (1) forms a maintenance permission request including the MAC address of the connection device slave unit 2 (5) included in the connection request from the maintenance PC 3, and connects the subordinates. Broadcast transmission is performed to the device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) (step S6).

In each of the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5), when the maintenance permission request from the connecting device master unit is received, is the control unit 210 a maintenance permission request addressed to the own unit including the MAC address of the own unit? It is confirmed whether or not (step S7). When it is confirmed in the confirmation process of step S7 that the request is not a maintenance permission request addressed to the own machine, the control unit 210 ignores (through) this.

Further, in the confirmation process of step S7, in this example, it is assumed that the control unit 210 of the connecting device slave unit 2 (5) confirms that the maintenance permission request is addressed to the own unit including the MAC address of the own unit. In this case, in the connecting device slave unit 2 (5), the permission response forming unit 231 functions under the control of the control unit 210, and maintenance permission including the WAN side (upper side) IP address assigned to the own unit is permitted. A response is formed and transmitted to the connecting device master unit 2 (1) (step S8).

The connection information providing unit 222 of the connection device master unit 2 (1) forms a maintenance connection response including the IP address included in the received maintenance permission response, and provides this to the maintenance PC 3 of the connection request source (step S9). ). When the maintenance PC 3 receives the maintenance connection response, the connection execution unit 306 functions and connects to the maintenance page of the connection device slave unit 2 (5) to be maintained using the IP address included in the maintenance connection response (the maintenance PC 3 is connected to the maintenance page of the connection device slave unit 2 (5) to be maintained. (Login) (step S10). That is, the process of step S10 is a process of connecting the maintenance PC 3 to the maintenance target connecting device slave unit 2 (5) based on the information provided from the connecting device master unit 2 (1).

As a result, maintenance can be performed by connecting to the connection device slave unit to be maintained, in this case, the connection device slave unit 2 (5) from the WAN side (upper side) through the maintenance PC 3. Then, the connection device slave unit 2 (5) to be maintained receives an instruction to end maintenance from the maintenance PC 3, or has not received an operation from the maintenance PC 3 for a certain period of time or more after logging in from the maintenance PC 3. To confirm whether or not the maintenance has been completed (step S11).

When it is confirmed in the confirmation process of step S11 that the maintenance has not been completed, the process from step S11 is repeated to wait for the end of the maintenance. When it is confirmed that the maintenance has been completed in the confirmation process of step S11, a logout process for disconnecting the maintenance PC 3 from the own machine is executed (step S12). Maintenance The maintenance of the connection device slave unit 2 (5) using the PC 3 is completed. Here, the case of maintaining the connecting device slave unit 2 (5) has been described, but the connection device master unit 2 (1) is similarly applied to the other connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (4). ) Can be connected for maintenance.

[Automatic setting of master unit and slave unit]
In the communication system of this embodiment, the maintenance PC 3 is connected to the connecting device master unit 2 (1) connected directly under the line terminating device 1 through the LAN 4 which is the lower network, and the master unit is connected. Changed to set. If the connection device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) are set to be slave units in the initial state, they will remain as slave units if there is no setting of the master unit. The master unit and the slave unit can be properly distinguished in.

However, it is also possible to automatically set the master unit / slave unit for each of the connecting devices used in the communication system without bothering the user of the maintenance PC3. Then, the necessary information is provided from the connecting device (connecting device slave unit) set as the slave unit to the connecting device (connecting device master unit) set as the master unit, and the slave unit is automatically registered. It can also be. In this case, the automatic setting of the master unit / slave unit is performed by using, for example, an option provided in the DHCP message section of the DHCP frame.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the message unit of the DHCP frame. The DHCP frame includes an Ethernet (registered trademark) header section (14 bytes), an IP header section (20 bytes), an UPD header section (8 bytes), and a DHCP message section shown in FIG. The Ethernet (registered trademark) header section and IP header section store the destination MAC address and IP address, and the source MAC address and IP address, and the UPD header section stores the source port number, destination port number, and UPD. Data length, checksum, etc. are stored. The DHCP message unit is provided with a variable-length optional area as shown on the lower end side of FIG. 8, and is configured to provide necessary information to the other party using this optional area. ing.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the options of the DHCP message unit, and shows some examples of information to be notified to the other party through the options. In FIG. 9, the code is a decimal numerical value, which is also called a tag value, and is information for specifying each of the information (data) to be notified as an option (tag). Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the code "0" is called "Pad" and is used to fill the option data to a certain size. The code "1" is a "subnet mask" and indicates a subnet mask address. The code "3" is the address of the router and indicates the default gateway address. As described above, the DHCP frame option is used when providing various information specified by the code to the other party.

Then, in FIG. 9, the code "126" provides extension information. In the communication system of this embodiment, each connection device 2 (1) to 2 (5) requests a DHCP server such as a higher-level connection device to assign an IP address. In this case, if the extended information of the optional code "126" of the DHCP frame provided by the upper DHCP server does not include the information indicating that the DHCP server of the provider is the connection device master unit, it is self-supporting. The machine recognizes that it is the connection device master unit. On the contrary, if the extended information of the optional code "126" of the DHCP frame provided by the upper DHCP server contains information indicating that the DHCP server of the provider is the connection device master unit, the own machine Recognizes that it is a connection device slave unit.

In the communication system of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, since the connecting device master unit 2 (1) is connected directly under the line terminating device 1, the upper network is a wide area network. Therefore, it is the external DHCP server that assigns the IP address to the connection device master unit 2 (1), and notifies that it is the connection device master unit by the extended information of the optional code "126" of the DHCP frame. So-called local rules such as are not applied. Therefore, the extended information of the optional code "126" of the DHCP frame provided from the external DHCP server is not added with the information indicating that the DHCP server of the provider is the connection device master unit. Therefore, the connecting device master unit 2 (1) recognizes that the own unit is the connecting device master unit in the communication system to which the own unit belongs.

Then, the connecting device master unit 2 (1) follows the above-mentioned local rules applied in this communication system. In this case, in the DHCP frame in which the master unit information providing unit 223 of the connecting device master unit 2 (1) functions and assigns an IP address to the subordinate device, the extension information of the optional code "126" of the DHCP message unit is used. Information indicating that the machine is the master machine is added and provided. On the other hand, each of the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) is connected to the connecting device master unit 2 (1) through the LAN 4. Seen from each of the connection device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5), the WAN side network closer to the wide area network is LAN4. Therefore, each of the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) receives an IP address from the connecting device master unit 2 (1) through the LAN 4.

As described above, the connection device master unit 2 (1) indicates that the connection device master unit 2 (1) is the master unit in the extended information of the optional code "126" of the DHCP message unit in the DHCP frame that assigns the IP address to the subordinate device. The information shown is added and provided. Therefore, each of the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) recognizes that the own unit is a slave unit. Then, in each of the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5), the slave unit information registration unit 232 functions to notify the connecting device master unit 2 (1) that the own unit is a slave unit. A registration request "REGISTER" requesting registration is formed, and this is provided to the connecting device master unit 2 (1). Since the registration request includes information such as the source MAC address and IP address, based on this, in the connecting device master unit 2 (1), the slave unit table described with reference to FIG. 4 is used. Can be created.

FIG. 10 describes an example of information indicating that the source device included in the registration request “REGISTER” formed in each of the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) is the connecting device slave unit. It is a figure for doing. As shown in FIG. 10, as information indicating that the own unit (source) is a connecting device slave unit to the user agent "User-Agent" of the registration request requesting the slave unit registration, for example, "IPTU behindv01.00". Record the information. Here, "IPTU" is information indicating that the own unit is a network connection device (Internet Protocol Transmission Unit), and "behindv01.00" is information indicating that the own unit is a slave unit.

In addition to this, the registration request "REGISTER" requesting the registration of the slave unit includes various information such as the MAC address and IP address of the source device, that is, the connection device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5). Is also included. Therefore, the connection device master unit 2 (1) provided with the registration request "REGISTER" can register the slave unit in response to the received registration request "REGISTER".

Next, the processing related to the automatic setting of the master unit / slave unit will be specifically described. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a process when the connection device master unit and the connection device slave unit are automatically set, which is performed in the communication system of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the process shown in FIG. 11 is a process executed in a state where each device is connected by a predetermined cable. As described above, the connecting device master unit 2 (1) is connected directly under the line terminating device 1. Therefore, the extended information of the optional code "126" in the message part of the DHCP frame provided to the connection device master unit 2 (1) from the wide area network side does not include the information indicating that the master unit is a master unit. Therefore, the connecting device master unit 2 (1) recognizes the own unit as the master unit, and sets that the own unit is the master unit, for example, in the non-volatile memory of the control unit 210 (step S20).

Next, the control unit 320 of the maintenance PC 3 broadcasts a DHCP "DISCOVER" frame through LAN4 and requests the upper DHCP server to provide information such as an IP address assigned to its own machine (step S21, step S21). Step S22, ...). In this case, among the connecting devices 2 (1) to 2 (5) connected to the LAN 4, the connecting device master unit 2 (1) can be assigned an IP address to the subordinate device. Therefore, the control unit 210 of the connection device master unit 2 (1) forms a DHCP “OFFER” frame and provides it to the maintenance PC 3 (step S23). The "OFFER" frame includes an IP address that can be assigned as proposal information.

The control unit 320 of the maintenance PC 3 that has received the "OFFER" frame forms a "REQUEST" frame for notifying that the proposal (OFFER) from the connecting device master unit 2 (1) is accepted, and attaches this to the connecting device parent. It is transmitted to the machine 2 (1) (step S24). In response to this, in the connecting device master unit 2 (1), under the control of the control unit 210, the master unit information providing unit 223 functions to form a "PACK" frame, which is provided to the maintenance PC 3 ( Step S25). This "PACK" frame includes the IP address assigned to the maintenance PC 3, and adds information indicating that the own machine is the master unit to the extended information of the optional code "126" of the DHCP message unit.

The control unit 320 of the maintenance PC 3 sets the IP address assigned to the own unit, and recognizes the connection device master unit 2 (1) as the master unit (step S26). As a result, the maintenance PC 3 will perform maintenance (maintenance) of the connecting device slave unit via the connecting device master unit 2 (1).

Then, the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) also perform the same processing as the maintenance PC 3. Further, in the case of the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5), the process of registering that the own unit is a slave unit in the connecting device master unit 2 (1) is also performed. Here, for the sake of simplicity, the processing performed between the connecting device slave unit 2 (2) and the connecting device master unit 2 (1) will be described, but the connecting device slave unit 2 (3) to the connecting device will be described. The same process is performed in the slave unit 2 (5).

Specifically, the control unit 210 of the connection device slave unit 2 (2) broadcasts a DHCP "DISCOVER" frame through LAN4 and provides information such as an IP address assigned to the own unit to a higher-level DHCP server. (Step S27, step S28, ...). As described above, among the devices connected to the LAN 4, it is the connecting device master unit 2 (1) that can be assigned an IP address to the subordinate devices. Therefore, in the connecting device master unit 2 (1), the master unit information providing unit 223 functions under the control of the control unit 210 to form a DHCP “OFFER” frame, which is used as the connecting device slave unit 2. (2) (step S29). The "OFFER" frame includes an IP address that can be assigned as proposal information.

The control unit 210 of the connecting device slave unit 2 (2) that has received the "OFFER" frame forms a "REQUEST" frame notifying that the proposal (OFFER) from the connecting device master unit 2 (1) is accepted. , This is notified to the connecting device master unit 2 (1) (step S30). In response to this, in the connecting device master unit 2 (1), under the control of the control unit 210, the master unit information providing unit 223 functions to form a "PACK" frame, which is used as the connecting device slave unit 2 (1). 2) (step S31). The "PACK" frame includes an IP address assigned to the connecting device slave unit 2 (2), and information indicating that the own unit is the master unit is added to the extended information of the optional code "126" of the DHCP message unit. It is a thing. As a result, the connecting device slave unit 2 (2) sets the IP address assigned to the own unit by the "PACK" frame.

In addition, information indicating that the unit is a master unit is added to the extended information of the optional code "126" of the DHCP message part of the "PACK" frame. Therefore, the control unit 210 of the connecting device slave unit 2 (2) recognizes that the connecting device master unit 2 (1) is the master unit and the own unit is the slave unit, and the own unit is the slave unit. For example, this is set in the non-volatile memory of the control unit 210 (step S32). After that, in the connecting device slave unit 2 (2), the slave unit information registration unit 232 functions under the control of the control unit 210, and includes the MAC address of the own unit and the IP address assigned to the own unit. A "REGISTER" frame requesting registration of a slave unit including the "User-Agent" shown in 10 is formed, and this is provided to the connecting device master unit 2 (1).

In the connecting device master unit 2 (1) that has received the "REGISTER" frame, the control unit 210 creates the slave unit table described with reference to FIG. 4 using the MAC address included in the "REGISTER" frame. To register the slave unit (step S34). In this case, since the IP address assigned to the connecting device slave unit 2 (2) of the transmission source also exists in the "REGISTER" frame, the MAC address and the IP address may be managed in association with each other. Good.

After that, the control unit 210 of the connecting device master unit 2 (1) forms a "200OK" frame notifying that the slave unit registration is completed normally, and transmits this to the connecting device slave unit 2 (2). (Step S35). As a result, the process of recognizing that the own unit is a slave unit in the connecting device slave unit 2 (2) and registering the own unit to the connecting device master unit 2 (1) is completed. If the "200OK" frame is not transmitted, for example, the connecting device slave unit 2 (2) repeats the process of transmitting the "REGISTER" frame again to register the slave unit. ..

Then, the process described here as being performed between the connecting device slave unit 2 (2) and the connecting device master unit 2 (1) is performed between the connecting device slave units 2 (3) and 2 (5) and the connecting device. It is also performed with the master unit 2 (1). Therefore, the "REGISTER" frame may be transmitted from the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) to the connecting device master unit 2 (1) all at once, and the slave unit registration may be required. In this case, the connecting device master unit 2 (1) registers the slave unit on a first-come, first-served basis. As a result, the master unit and the slave unit can be automatically registered for each of the connecting devices 2 (1) to 2 (5), and the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (2) to 2 (5) recognized as the slave units. Each of 5) provides the MAC address to the connecting device master unit 2 (1), and the slave unit can be registered automatically.

Then, in the connecting device master unit 2 (1), the slave unit table (FIG. 4) can be automatically formed by using the MAC addresses from the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5). In the slave unit table, for example, when inputting information indicating the installation location of each connecting device slave unit as other information, the maintenance PC 3 is connected to the connecting device master unit 2 (1) to maintain the slave unit table. You just have to do it.

In this way, after the master unit / slave unit is set and the slave unit table is automatically formed, the maintenance PC 3 is the connecting device master unit 2 (as described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 7). Based on the information provided from 1), it is possible to connect to the target connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5). Therefore, the environment for connection is prepared with almost no trouble for the user of the maintenance PC3, and necessary maintenance is performed by connecting to each of the connection device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5). be able to.

When the slave unit table is automatically formed, the MAC addresses of the slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) and the assigned IP addresses can be associated and managed. Therefore, in the maintenance permission response in step S8 of the sequence diagram of FIG. 7, each connecting device slave unit 2 (2) to 2 (5) does not need to notify the IP address if it notifies the MAC address.

Further, each time each of the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) receives the reassignment of the IP address, the slave unit is registered for the connecting device master unit 2 (1). , The latest status can be managed by associating the MAC address with the IP address.

[Effect of Embodiment]
In the communication system of this embodiment, the connection device master unit 2 (1) is assigned to each of the connection device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) to be assigned an IP address by the connection device master unit 2 (1). It is possible to connect and perform maintenance based on the information provided by. That is, the maintenance PC 3 is not connected to each of the connecting device slave units 2 (2) to 2 (5) from the lower side (LAN 5 to 8 side in FIG. 1) for maintenance, but is maintained on the upper side (WAN). It can be connected and maintained via the network (LAN4) on the side).

[Modification example]
The number of connecting device slave units may be any number as long as it is one or more. It is also possible to provide a plurality of connection device master units. In this case, the connecting device slave unit may select which connection device master unit uses the information. Of course, it is also possible to provide a plurality of maintenance PCs 3.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the MAC addresses of the connecting devices (slave units) 2 (2) to 2 (5) are used for distinction, but the present invention is not limited to this. If there is identification information unique to each of the connecting devices (slave units) 2 (2) to 2 (5), for example, a serial number or a management number assigned to each connecting device (slave unit) in the telephone system. , This can be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the connecting device master unit notifies that the source of the DHCP frame is the connecting device master unit by using the extended information of the optional code 126 of the message part of the DHCP frame. However, it is not limited to this. If it is possible to notify that the source of the DHCP frame is the connecting device master unit and the receiving device can appropriately recognize it, it can be said that the DHCP frame is the connecting device master unit using another area. You may want to give a notification.

[Other]
As can be seen from the description of the above-described embodiment, each function of the connection device master unit storage means, the slave unit list providing means, and the connection information providing means in the claim is the storage device of the connection device 2 of the embodiment. 205, the slave unit list providing unit 221 and the connection information providing unit 222 are realized. Further, the function of the master unit information providing means of the connecting device master unit in the claim is realized by the master unit information providing unit 223 of the connecting device 2 of the embodiment.

Further, each function of the permission response forming means and the slave unit information registration means of the connecting device slave unit in the claim is realized by the permission response forming unit 231 and the slave unit information registration unit 232 of the connecting device 2 of the embodiment. ..

Further, the control unit 320 of the maintenance PC 3 of the embodiment realizes each function of the list request means for the maintenance device and the connection request means in the claim. Further, the function of the connection execution means of the maintenance device in the claim is realized by the connection execution unit 306 of the maintenance PC 3 of the embodiment.

It should be noted that the process performed by the connecting device master unit 2 (1) described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 7 is the one to which one embodiment of the connection processing program of the present invention is applied. Specifically, in response to a request from the maintenance PC3, one or more connection device slave units based on the MAC address of the slave unit table that stores the MAC addresses assigned to each of the one or more connection device slave units. One or more maintenance permission requests including the MAC address of the connected device slave unit to be maintained selected through the list of connected device slave units in the maintenance PC 3 and the step of providing the list of slave units to be provided to the maintenance PC 3 by creating a list. The connection information providing step of providing the connection device slave unit of the above and providing the connection information to the maintenance PC 3 with the permission from the connection device slave unit to be maintained is executed.

Further, the process performed by the connecting device slave unit 2 (2) described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 7 is the one to which one embodiment of the connection response program of the present invention is applied. Specifically, when a maintenance permission request including the MAC address of the own unit is received from the continuation device master unit, a connection response step of forming a maintenance permission response and providing it to the connection device master unit is executed. ..

Further, each function of the slave unit list providing unit 221 of the master unit processing unit 220, the connection information providing unit 222, and the master unit information providing unit 223 of FIG. 2 is performed by the software executed by the control unit 210 in the control unit 210. It can also be realized as a function. Similarly, the functions of the permission response forming unit 231 and the slave unit information registration unit 232 of the slave unit processing unit 230 can also be realized as the functions of the control unit 210 by the software executed by the control unit 210.

1 ... Line termination device, 2 ... Connection device, 2 (1) ... Connection device master unit, 2 (2) to 2 (5) ... Connection device slave unit, 201 ... Connection port, 202 ... Upper side I / F, 203 ... Address assignment unit, 204 ... Routing processing unit, 205 ... Storage device, 206 ... Connection port, 207 ... Lower I / F, 210 ... Control unit, 220 ... Master unit processing unit, 221 ... Slave unit list providing unit 222 ... connection information providing unit, 223 ... master unit information providing unit, 230 ... slave unit processing unit, 231 ... permission response forming unit, 232 ... slave unit information registration unit, 3 ... maintenance PC, 301T ... LAN port, 301 ... LANI / F, 302 ... Display controller, 303 ... Display, 304 ... Audio output processing unit, 305 ... Speaker, 306 ... Connection execution unit, 308 ... Operation input I / F, 309 ... Operation unit, 310 ... HDD, 320 ... Control unit , 321 ... CPU, 322 ... ROM, 323 ... RAM, 4-8 ... LAN

Claims (7)

A line termination device connected to a wide area network, a connection device master unit connected to the line termination device, and one or more connection device slave units and maintenance devices connected to the connection device master unit through a local area network. It is a communication system consisting of
The connection device master unit is
A storage means for storing device identification information assigned to each of the one or more connected device slave units, and a storage means for storing the device identification information.
In response to a request from the maintenance device, a list of one or more connected device slave units is created based on the device identification information of the storage means, and a slave unit list providing means provided to the maintenance device is provided.
A maintenance permission request including the device identification information of the connection device slave unit to be maintained selected through the list in the maintenance device is provided to one or more connection device slave units, and the connection device slave to be maintained is provided. Provided with a connection information providing means for providing connection information to the maintenance device with permission from the machine.
The connection device slave unit
A permission response forming means for forming a maintenance permission response and providing the connection device master unit to the connection device master unit when a maintenance permission request including the device identification information of the own unit is received from the connection device master unit is provided.
The maintenance device is
A list request means for forming a request for providing a list of one or more connection device slave units and providing the list list request means to the connection device master unit.
A reception means that receives a list of the connection device slave units provided by the connection device master unit and accepts selection input of the connection device slave unit to be maintained through the list.
A connection request means that forms a connection request for the selected connection device slave unit and provides the connection request to the connection device master unit in response to the selection input received through the reception means.
A communication system including a connection executing means for accessing the selected connection device slave unit and connecting a communication line based on the connection information from the connection device master unit. The communication system according to claim 1.
The connection device master unit is
When the information indicating that the connection device is the master unit is not provided by the higher-level device located higher than the own unit, and the information provision request is received from the lower-level device located lower than the own unit. Also equipped with a master unit information providing means that provides information including information indicating that the own unit is a connecting device master unit.
The connection device slave unit
When information indicating that the unit is a connecting device master unit is provided by a higher-level device located higher than the own unit, a registration request including information indicating that the own unit is a connecting device slave unit is formed. A communication system including a slave unit information registration means provided to the higher-level device. A line termination device connected to a wide area network, a connection device master unit connected to the line termination device, and one or more connection device slave units and maintenance devices connected to the connection device master unit through a local area network. The connection device master unit of the communication system consisting of
A storage means for storing device identification information assigned to each of the one or more connected device slave units, and a storage means for storing the device identification information.
In response to a request from the maintenance device, a list of one or more connected device slave units is created based on the device identification information of the storage means, and a slave unit list providing means provided to the maintenance device is provided.
A maintenance permission request including the device identification information of the connection device slave unit to be maintained selected through the list in the maintenance device is provided to one or more connection device slave units, and the connection device slave to be maintained is provided. A connection device master unit comprising a connection information providing means for providing connection information to the maintenance device with permission from the machine. A line termination device connected to a wide area network, a connection device master unit connected to the line termination device, and one or more connection device slave units and maintenance devices connected to the connection device master unit through a local area network. The connection device slave unit of the communication system consisting of
The connecting device master unit has a storage means for storing device identification information assigned to each of the one or more connecting device slave units, and the device identification of the storage means in response to a request from the maintenance device. Based on the information, a list of one or more connected device slave units is created, and the slave unit list providing means provided to the maintenance device and the connected device to be maintained selected in the maintenance device through the list. A maintenance permission request including the device identification information of the slave unit is provided to one or more of the connection device slave units, and connection information is provided to the maintenance device with permission from the connection device slave unit to be maintained. It is provided with a means for providing information for connection.
It is characterized in that it is provided with a permission response forming means for forming a maintenance permission response and providing it to the connection device master unit when a maintenance permission request including the device identification information of the own unit is received from the connection device master unit. Connection device slave unit. A line termination device connected to a wide area network, a connection device master unit connected to the line termination device, and one or more connection device slave units and maintenance devices connected to the connection device master unit through a local area network. The maintenance device for a communication system consisting of
The connecting device master unit has a storage means for storing device identification information assigned to each of the one or more connecting device slave units, and the device identification of the storage means in response to a request from the maintenance device. Based on the information, a list of one or more connected device slave units is created, and the slave unit list providing means provided to the maintenance device and the connected device to be maintained selected in the maintenance device through the list. A maintenance permission request including the device identification information of the slave unit is provided to one or more of the connection device slave units, and connection information is provided to the maintenance device with permission from the connection device slave unit to be maintained. It is provided with a means for providing information for connection.
When the connection device slave unit receives a maintenance permission request including the device identification information of its own unit from the connection device master unit, the connection device slave unit forms a maintenance permission response and provides the permission response formation to the connection device master unit. It has means and
A list request means for forming a request for providing a list of one or more connection device slave units and providing the list list request means to the connection device master unit.
A reception means that receives a list of the connection device slave units provided by the connection device master unit and accepts selection input of the connection device slave unit to be maintained through the list.
A connection request means that forms a connection request for the selected connection device slave unit and provides the connection request to the connection device master unit in response to the selection input received through the reception means.
A maintenance device comprising: a connection executing means for accessing the selected connection device slave unit and connecting a communication line based on the connection information from the connection device master unit. A line termination device connected to a wide area network, a connection device master unit connected to the line termination device, and one or more connection device slave units and maintenance devices connected to the connection device master unit through a local area network. A connection processing program executed by a computer mounted on the connection device master unit of the communication system consisting of the above.
In response to a request from the maintenance device, one or more of the connection device slave units based on the device identification information of the storage means for storing the device identification information assigned to each of the one or more connection device slave units. A step of providing a list of slave units to be provided to the maintenance device by creating a list, and
A maintenance permission request including the device identification information of the connection device slave unit to be maintained selected through the list in the maintenance device is provided to one or more connection device slave units, and the connection device slave to be maintained is provided. A connection processing program characterized by executing a connection information providing step of providing connection information to the maintenance device with permission from the machine. A line termination device connected to a wide area network, a connection device master unit connected to the line termination device, and one or more connection device slave units and maintenance devices connected to the connection device master unit through a local area network. A connection response program executed by a computer mounted on the connection device master unit of the communication system consisting of the above.
In the computer mounted on the connection device master unit, the device identification of the storage means for storing the device identification information assigned to each of the one or more connection device slave units in response to the request from the maintenance device. Based on the information, a list of one or more connected device slave units is created, and the slave unit list providing step to be provided to the maintenance device, and the connected device to be maintained selected in the maintenance device through the list. A maintenance permission request including the device identification information of the slave unit is provided to one or more of the connection device slave units, and connection information is provided to the maintenance device with permission from the connection device slave unit to be maintained. The connection information provision step to be executed is to be executed.
When a maintenance permission request including the device identification information of the own unit is received from the connection device master unit, a permission response formation step of forming a maintenance permission response and providing the connection device master unit to the connection device master unit is executed. Connection response program.

Images