JP2011160113A - Network device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network device capable of preventing occurrence of communication failure by avoiding assignment of an IP address of other equipment which is identical with the network device. <P>SOLUTION: A selection process for selecting an IP address from a predetermined address space by AutoIP and a discrimination process for discriminating whether the IP address selected by the selection process is duplicated in the IP network, are repeated for acquiring a unique IP address in the IP network, so that a network device 1 is connected to the IP network. The network device 1 includes a first database 26 which stores an IP address of other equipment that is connected to the IP network. The duplicated IP address is stored in the first database 26 based on discrimination by the discrimination process. An IP address except for the IP address stored in the first database 26 is selected by the selection process. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a network device.

  There is a protocol called TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol) as a network protocol that has been widely used. TCP / IP is divided into five layers of a physical layer, a network interface layer, an internetwork layer, a transport layer, and an application layer, and a network management method is determined for each layer.

  To communicate with TCP / IP, it is necessary to set an IP address in the network device. The IP address can be set by a user manually or by a network device. Furthermore, when setting automatically, there are a stateful method in which an IP address is acquired from a server and a stateless method in which the network device itself determines an IP address.

  As a stateful IP address setting method, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is known (Non-Patent Document 1). AutoIP is known as a stateless IP address setting method. AutoIP is also called APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing) (Non-patent Document 2).

  AutoIP is a function in which a network device arbitrarily generates and sets an IP address. The range of IP addresses that can be used is limited to 169.254.1.0 to 169.254.254.255. When the network device recognizes that there is no DHCP server on the network, it generates an arbitrary IP address within this address range. Then, using ARP (Address Resolution Protocol), setting is performed after confirming that there is no other device using the same IP address in the same network (synonymous with the IP network). This makes it possible to acquire an IP address even in a network where no DHCP server exists.

  When automatically determining the IP address of a network device, if the power of the network device to which the IP address is assigned is shut off, the same IP address as that of the network device is set to another new device. Sometimes. In such a case, there may be a case where an IP address collision occurs and a communication failure occurs.

  For this reason, there is disclosed a technique for searching for an IP address using ARP and further searching using another IP address when used by another device (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2007-195057 A JP-A-8-223169

RFC 2131 Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. IETF request for comments. Automatically Choosing an IP Address in an Ad-Hoc IPv4 Network. IETF draft.

  However, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the network device searches for an unused IP address, but the search control is not efficient. That is, the next IP address is searched using a random number. Then, another device may be using the new IP address selected by the random number in the same way. Also, random number generation specifications vary depending on the device, and the address value generated by the random number may be the same as the previous time. For this reason, it takes time to acquire a unique IP address in the network, and there is a problem that the network function cannot be started quickly.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a network device capable of quickly starting a network function by shortening the start of IP address acquisition by AutoIP.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the network device according to the present invention uses AutoIP to select a selection process for selecting an IP address from a predetermined address space, and whether the IP address selected in the selection process is duplicated in the IP network. A determination process for determining whether or not a unique IP address in the IP network is acquired and a network device connected to the IP network stores an IP address of another device connected to the IP network. 1 database, IP addresses that are duplicated in the determination process are stored in the first database, and IP addresses excluding the IP addresses stored in the first database are selected in the selection process.

  According to this configuration, the network apparatus performs a selection process for selecting an IP address from a predetermined address space by AutoIP and a determination process for determining whether or not the IP address selected in the selection process is duplicated in the IP network. Do. The first database stores IP addresses of other devices connected to the IP network according to the determination processing. Then, a unique IP address that does not overlap with other devices is acquired. When the power is turned on again after the network device is turned off, an IP address excluding the IP address stored in the first database is selected in the selection process.

  According to the present invention, in the network device configured as described above, a second database that stores the unique IP address is provided, and the IP address stored in the second database by the selection process is preferentially selected.

  According to this configuration, the unique IP address acquired by AutoIP is stored in the second database. When the network device is turned on, the IP address stored in the second database is preferentially selected by the selection process.

  According to the present invention, in the network device configured as described above, the acquisition date and time of the unique IP address is stored in a second database, and a new IP address with a new acquisition date is preferentially selected by the selection process.

  According to this configuration, when the network device is turned on, the selection process sequentially selects from the second database the IP addresses with the latest acquisition date and time.

  According to the present invention, in the network device configured as described above, after obtaining the unique IP address, the IP address of another device in the IP network is detected and stored in the first database.

  According to the present invention, in the network device configured as described above, when an access is made from another device in the IP network after the acquisition of the unique IP address, the IP address of the device is acquired and stored in the first database. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, the network device stores the duplicated IP addresses in the first database in the determination process, and selects the IP addresses excluding the IP addresses stored in the first database in the selection process. And the unique IP address used by the network device can be determined efficiently. Therefore, a convenient network device can be provided. In addition, since unnecessary traffic can be reduced, a comfortable network environment can be provided at the same time.

It is explanatory drawing of the network system using the network apparatus which concerns on this invention. 1 is a block diagram of a network device according to the present invention. It is a flowchart of IP address acquisition of the network device concerning the present invention. It is a flowchart of IP address acquisition of the network device concerning the present invention.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

  First, a usage pattern according to this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a network system using the network device according to the present embodiment.

  Examples of network devices include digital televisions, personal computers, hard disk recorders (PVRs), television tuners, set top boxes (STBs), digital cameras, digital video cameras, mobile phones, and portable information. A network apparatus such as a terminal (PDA; Personal Digital Assistants), a game machine, a stereo set, a portable music device, a printer, or an information appliance is included. Of course, the network device according to the present embodiment is not limited to these forms, and includes any network device having an information processing function.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a TV receiver 1 and a remote controller 2 for remote operation of the TV receiver 1 are installed in Room (B). In addition, in the Room (A) outside the Room (B), a hard disk recorder 3, a personal computer 4, a digital TV tuner 5, and an audio device 6 that supply information are connected to the hub 7 and installed. The example in FIG. 1 assumes a home network.

  These network devices (3 to 6) are equipped with digital media servers (for example, DLNA servers). The hub 7 includes an antenna 15 and can perform wireless communication. The hub 7 is connected to a wide area communication network NET such as an external Internet communication network or a telephone line network.

  The personal computer 4 has a function for operating as a Web content server device in a home network, and further includes a UPnP (universal plug and play) service that provides URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) information necessary for content access. ) Configured as a compatible device.

  The television receiver 1 attached to the wall of the Room (B) has a speaker and performs video display / audio output. In addition, the television receiver 1 includes a wireless communication unit 10. Furthermore, as will be described later, the television receiver 1 is equipped with a digital media player (for example, a DLNA client) for capturing video / audio data wirelessly transmitted from the remote controller 2.

  The television receiver 1 is detachably attachable to a memory card 11 such as an SD (Secure Digital) memory card, an MMC (Multimedia Card), and a memory stick.

  The television receiver 1 includes a LAN (Local Area Network) terminal 12, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal 13, and an i. A LINK terminal 14 is provided.

  The LAN terminal 12 is used as a general LAN compatible port using Ethernet (registered trademark). For example, the LAN compatible hard disk recorder 3, personal computer 4, digital TV tuner 5, audio via the hub 7 is used. It is used to connect devices such as the device 6 and perform information transmission with these devices. Information transmission can be performed by wired communication or wireless communication.

  The USB terminal 13 is used as a general USB compatible port for data transfer. i. The LINK terminal 14 is used, for example, for serial connection of the hard disk recorder 3 or the like and for information transmission with these devices.

  The remote controller 2 performs power on / off of the television receiver 1, manual setting of a fixed IP address, channel change, increase / decrease of audio volume, and the like. Further, the remote controller 2 executes data communication with each of the network devices (3 to 6) of the Room (A) and the television receiver 1. Furthermore, the remote controller 2 has a function of transmitting a predetermined control command or the like to the network devices (3 to 6). The remote controller 2 includes a digital media player (for example, a DLNA client) and a digital media server (for example, a DLNA server).

  The remote controller 2 includes a signal processing unit, a memory, an operation unit including a plurality of operation switches, a display unit capable of displaying characters and other images using a liquid crystal panel, an infrared communication unit, a wireless communication unit, and Has a microphone.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the television receiver 1. The television receiver 1 includes a control unit 23, a wireless communication unit 10, a tuner 24, a storage unit 25, an MPEG decoder 28, a graphic unit 29, and a display 30. The storage unit 25 includes a first database 26 and a second database 27 which will be described later.

  The control unit 23 includes a CPU and a memory (not shown), and an OS operates on the CPU. When the control unit 23 controls hardware such as the wireless communication unit 10 and the graphic unit 29, a device driver included in the OS is used.

  The tuner 24 selects a signal having a predetermined bandwidth (channel) from a television signal received by a tuner antenna (not shown), and outputs a bit stream encoded according to a standard such as MPEG. The MPEG decoder 28 decodes the bit stream into image data. The graphic unit 29 includes a graphic card and a display controller, converts the decoded image data into an analog signal, and sends the analog signal to the display 30. The display 30 displays an image. Note that MPEG is an example, and the image is, for example, H.264. It may be encoded according to a standard such as H.264.

  The storage unit 25 is composed of, for example, a hard disk or a flash memory, and can be rewritten. The storage unit 25 further includes a first database 26 that stores IP addresses of other devices connected to the IP network (synonymous with the network). In addition, the storage unit 25 includes a second database 27 that stores an IP address used as a unique IP address in the past by the television receiver 1 and an acquisition date and time. In any database, in addition to the IP address, the number of uses, the type of protocol used, the response speed result with other devices, the MAC address, and the like may be stored. With these memories, various information can be analyzed from the IP address, and the convenient television receiver 1 can be provided.

  The first database 26 and the second database 27 may be stored by a method called a relational database. For example, if an IP address is managed as a primary key, a plurality of data groups can be interconnected with a structure called a relation. By performing the relational logic operation, a desired result can be taken out at high speed, thereby realizing an efficient search method.

  The wireless communication unit 10 is connected to a wireless LAN antenna and is used for connection to the wireless LAN. The wireless communication unit 10 includes an embedded CPU and firmware not shown. The firmware included in the wireless communication unit 10 controls the connection between the television receiver 1 and the wireless LAN, and the firmware is controlled by a wireless LAN device driver included in the OS.

  In the configuration as described above, control for acquiring an IP address by the television receiver 1 (network device) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  For example, when the power is turned on, in step S1, the television receiver 1 initializes network processing. Then, the IP address is set as “0.0.0.0” in the television receiver 1.

  In step S2, it is determined whether or not the television receiver 1 automatically sets an IP address. When setting manually instead of automatically, the process proceeds to step S3. When setting automatically, it transfers to step S4.

  In step S3, a fixed IP address is manually set using the remote controller 2. In addition to the IP address, it is preferable to set mask values (subnet values), which are various setting values used in the TCP / IP network, and server information such as DNS and WINS. It is also possible to set directly from the operation screen of the television receiver 1 without using the remote controller 2. After setting, the process ends.

  In step S4, the television receiver 1 requests an IP address from a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server (not shown). More specifically, a DHCPDISCOVER packet defined by DHCP is broadcast on the network (IP network).

  In step S5, it is determined whether an IP address can be acquired from the DHCP server. If it can be obtained, the process proceeds to step S6. If it cannot be obtained, the process proceeds to step S7. Specifically, whether or not communication with the DHCP server is possible depending on whether or not the DHCPOFFER packet returned from the DHCP server can be received within a predetermined period with respect to the DHCPDISCOVER packet of the television receiver 1. to decide.

  In step S6, an IP address is set from the DHCP server. That is, when communication between the television receiver 1 and the DHCP server is possible, the IP address is automatically set in the television receiver 1 from the DHCP server. For example, one of private addresses (192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255) is set in the television receiver 1. Then, the process ends.

  In step S7, the television receiver 1 is in AutoIP mode. In the AutoIP mode, a stateless IP address is set. That is, the television receiver 1 determines its own IP address by AutoIP without connecting to the server. The AutoIP standard stipulates that the television receiver 1 randomly selects one candidate IP address from a predetermined address space “169.254.1.0 to 169.254.254.255”. .

  In step S <b> 8, it is determined whether the IP address is stored in the second database 27 in the storage unit 25. The second database 27 stores IP addresses used in the past by the television receiver 1. When there is registration in the second database 27, the process proceeds to step S9. When there is no registration in the 2nd database 27, it transfers to step S10.

  In step S9, an IP address registered in the second database 27 is selected. If multiple IP addresses are registered, the IP address with the newest acquisition date is selected with priority. This is because the IP address with the newest acquisition date is more likely not to be used by another device. In addition, an IP address that is frequently used may be selected with priority. This is because there is a high possibility that another device is not using the IP address because it has been used.

  If it is not registered in the second database 27, in step S10, the IP address registered in the first database 26 is excluded by a selection process provided in the control unit, and a predetermined address space “169. The IP address is randomly selected from “254.1.0 to 169.254.254.255”. Since IP addresses registered in the first database 26 are excluded, it is possible to efficiently select IP addresses that are not used by other devices. The above steps S9 and S10 constitute a selection process.

  In step S11, the IP address selected in step S9 or step S10 is determined. The determination process is one of the functions of the control unit, and determines whether or not the IP address selected in the selection process is duplicated in the IP network. In step S9, the IP address selected in the second database 27 is excluded, and in step S10, the IP address registered in the first database 26 is excluded, and a predetermined address space “169.254.1.0 to 169.254” is excluded. .254.255 "is the IP address selected. In step S11, a discrimination process is configured.

  Specifically, an ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) packet for confirming whether the selected IP address exists on the same network is transmitted. The ARP packet includes a source MAC address and a destination MAC address, and a source IP address and a destination IP address. These are used to know a physical address corresponding to a destination IP address of another device.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not there is a response from another device to the ARP packet. If there is a response, the process proceeds to step S13. If there is no response, the process proceeds to step S14. Here, when there is a response from another device, the selected IP address is already used by another device.

  In step S13, if the IP address selected in step S9 or S10 is duplicated in the network, it is registered in the first database 26. In addition to the IP address, it is preferable to register the acquisition date, MAC address, response response time, protocol used, and expiration date at the same time. Thereby, the data memorize | stored in the 1st database 26 can be used effectively, and the convenient television receiver 1 can be provided.

  In step S14, since the IP address selected in step S9 or step S10 is a fixed IP address unique to the network, it is set in the television receiver 1. As a result, communication with other devices becomes possible.

  In step S15, the unique IP address assigned to the television receiver 1 is registered in the second database 27. In addition to the IP address, the MAC address, acquisition date / time, type of protocol used (such as ARP or PING), response speed result, and the like may be registered.

  In step S16, the television receiver 1 starts detecting other devices in the network. In order for the television receiver 1 to detect other devices, the television receiver 1 may issue a network investigation protocol such as the ARP or PING protocol all at once on the same network and detect it by a response. Alternatively, it may be detected by individual communication from the television receiver 1 to the personal computer 4 or the like.

  In step S17, it is determined whether or not the television receiver 1 has detected another device. If another device is detected, the process proceeds to step S18, and if not detected, the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S18, the IP address of the other device detected in step S17 is registered in the first database 26. In addition to the IP address, it is preferable to register the acquisition date, MAC address, response response time, protocol used, and expiration date at the same time. Thereby, the data memorize | stored in the 1st database 26 can be used effectively, and the convenient television receiver 1 can be provided.

  In step S19, if there is an access to the television receiver 1 from another device, the process proceeds to step S20, and if there is no access, the process proceeds to step S21. When there is access to the television receiver 1 from another device, there is individual communication access from the personal computer 4 or the like to the television receiver 1. Also, simultaneous access (broadcast access) using a network investigation protocol such as ARP or PING protocol from other devices may be used.

  In step S20, the IP addresses of other devices are registered in the first database 26.

  In step S21, the first database 26 in the storage unit 25 is updated. More specifically, for the IP address registered in the first database 26, for example, a protocol with a small traffic volume such as ARP or PING is used to check whether another device is still in use. When there is a response, the acquisition date is updated, and when there is no response, the data is deleted. Thereby, when acquiring an IP address, the data memorize | stored in the 1st database 26 can be used effectively, and the convenient television receiver 1 can be provided.

  In step S22, the second database 27 in the storage unit 25 is updated. More specifically, the unique IP address registered in the second database 27 is investigated using another protocol using a protocol with a small traffic volume such as ARP or PING. If there is a response, the data is deleted from the second database and registered in the first database 26. If there is no response, the date is updated. Thereby, when the television receiver 1 acquires the IP address, the data stored in the first database 26 and the second database 27 can be effectively used, and the convenient television receiver 1 can be provided. .

  Moreover, the 1st database 26 and the 2nd database 27 are updated by performing the process to step S16-step S22 regularly. Thereby, when the television receiver 1 acquires the IP address, the data stored in the first database 26 and the second database 27 can be effectively used, and the convenient television receiver 1 can be provided. .

  As described above, by AutoIP, the selection process for selecting an IP address from a predetermined address space and the determination process for determining whether or not the IP address selected in the selection process is duplicated in the IP network are repeated. A network device that acquires a unique IP address in an IP network and is connected to the IP network, includes a first database 26 that stores IP addresses of other devices connected to the IP network, and determines the determination process. The duplicate IP address is stored in the first database 26 and the IP address excluding the IP address stored in the first database 26 is selected by the selection process, thereby obtaining the unique IP address used by the network device. And can be determined efficiently. Therefore, the network function can be started quickly, and a convenient network device can be provided.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the network device includes the second database that stores the unique IP address, and the IP address stored in the second database is preferentially selected by the selection process. Since the IP address is selected, there is little possibility that another device is using it. Then, the unique IP address used by the network device can be determined more efficiently.

  According to the present invention, the network device stores the acquisition date and time of the unique IP address in the second database, and preferentially selects a new IP address with the acquisition date and time by the selection process. That is, among the unique IP addresses that have been used in the past, in the case of an IP address with a new acquisition date and time, there is little possibility that another device is using it. Then, the unique IP address used by the network device can be determined more efficiently.

  According to the present invention, since the network device detects the IP address of another device in the IP network and stores it in the first database after obtaining the unique IP address, it stores more IP addresses in the first database. To do. Then, since the IP address excluding the IP address stored in the first database is selected by the determination process, the unique IP address used by the network device can be determined more efficiently.

  According to the present invention, the network device acquires the IP address of the device when it is accessed from another device in the IP network after acquiring the unique IP address, and stores it in the first database. The IP address is stored in the first database. Then, since the IP address excluding the IP address stored in the first database is selected by the determination process, the unique IP address used by the network device can be determined more efficiently.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. The specific configuration of each part of the network device according to the present invention can be variously modified. For example, in the present embodiment, the IP address system has been described with IPv4, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied with IPv6.

  In addition, the network device that acquires an IP address by AutoIP has been described as the television receiver 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other network devices such as the hard disk recorder 3, personal computer 4, television tuner 5, audio device 6, and the like. May be.

  A network interface of another device may have a plurality of IP addresses. Therefore, it is possible to register in the first database 26 for each IP address.

1 Television receiver (network device)
2 Remote Controller 3 Hard Disk Recorder 4 Personal Computer 5 TV Tuner 6 Audio Equipment 7 Hub 10 Wireless Communication Unit 11 Memory Card 12 LAN (Local Area Network) Terminal 13 USB (Universal Serial Bus) Terminal 14 LINK Terminal 15 Antenna 25 Storage Unit 26 Second 1 database 27 2nd database

Claims (5)

AutoIP repeats a selection process for selecting an IP address from a predetermined address space and a determination process for determining whether or not the IP address selected in the selection process is duplicated in the IP network. In a network device that acquires an IP address and is connected to the IP network,
A first database for storing IP addresses of other devices connected to the IP network, wherein the IP addresses stored in the first database are stored in the first database by storing duplicate IP addresses according to the determination in the determination process; An IP address excluding IP is selected by the selection process.   The network apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second database that stores the unique IP address, wherein the IP address stored in the second database by the selection process is preferentially selected.   The network apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the acquisition date and time of the unique IP address is stored in a second database, and the IP address with a new acquisition date and time is preferentially selected by the selection process.   The network apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after obtaining the unique IP address, an IP address of another device in the IP network is detected and stored in the first database.   5. The IP address of the device is acquired when there is an access from another device in the IP network after the acquisition of the unique IP address, and is stored in the first database. A network device according to any one of the above.

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