Equipment discovery system and method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of device discovery, in particular to a device discovery system and method, and the system comprises a first device which is used for transmitting first MDNS packet information to a plurality of second devices of the same network segment selected group; obtaining first response information, and storing the first response information; the second equipment is used for receiving the first MDNS packet information and analyzing the first MDNS packet information to obtain first address information and first service information; verifying the first address information, and feeding back first response information under the condition that the first address information is the same as the cache address; calling corresponding first service information according to the first service information; and sending the first service information to the corresponding service address, thereby realizing automatic operation of batch equipment, improving equipment management and service execution efficiency, and reducing equipment deployment and operation cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of device discovery technology, and in particular to a device discovery system and method. Background Technology

[0002] Current device discovery technologies, such as MDNS and D2D, each have their limitations. MDNS, primarily used for automatic discovery and resolution of devices and services within a local area network (LAN), relies on an external DNS server, limiting its effectiveness in direct communication and efficient connections between devices. On the other hand, while D2D technology supports direct communication between devices without relying on network infrastructure, its implementation is complex and dependent on specific communication technologies such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, leading to interoperability issues in different application scenarios.

[0003] In summary, existing technologies have certain bottlenecks in terms of efficiency in device discovery and business operations. When faced with a large number of devices, operations often need to be performed manually one by one, which is time-consuming and tedious, resulting in high labor costs. The above problems need to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To automate the operation of batch devices, improve equipment management and business execution efficiency, and thereby reduce the cost of equipment deployment and operation, this application provides a device discovery system and method, employing the following technical solution:

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a device discovery system, comprising:

[0006] The first device is used to send first MDNS packet information to several second devices in a selected group on the same network segment; obtain first response information, and store the first response information;

[0007] The second device is used to receive the first MDNS packet information, parse the first MDNS packet information to obtain the first address information and the first service information; verify the first address information, and if the first address information is the same as the cached address, send back the first response information; call the corresponding first service information according to the first service information; and send the first service information to the corresponding service address.

[0008] Preferred options also include:

[0009] The second device is also used to send second MDNS packet information to any device in the same network segment; obtain second response information and store the second response information; obtain second service information and send the second service information to the corresponding service address;

[0010] The accessory device is used to obtain the second MDNS packet information, parse the second MDNS packet information, and if the second address information obtained by parsing is the same as the preset address, parse the second MDNS packet information to obtain the second service information and send back the second response information; according to the second service information, call the corresponding second business information and send the second business information to the second device.

[0011] Preferably, it also includes:

[0012] The first device is also used to periodically send MDNS refresh information to several second devices according to a preset refresh time; obtain refresh response information; and update the stored data according to the refresh response information.

[0013] Preferably, the second device sends the first service information to the corresponding service address, specifically to the target service address on the external network.

[0014] Secondly, this application provides a device discovery method, comprising:

[0015] Receive the first MDNS packet information, parse the first MDNS packet information to obtain the first address information and the first service information; verify the first address information, and if the first address information is the same as the cached address, send back the first response information;

[0016] The corresponding first business information is invoked based on the first service information;

[0017] Send the first business information to the corresponding service address.

[0018] Preferably, it also includes:

[0019] Send a second MDNS packet to any device on the same network segment;

[0020] Obtain the second response information and store it.

[0021] Obtain the second business information and send it to the corresponding service address.

[0022] Thirdly, this application provides a host device, including:

[0023] The device discovery module is used to receive the first MDNS packet information, parse the first MDNS packet information to obtain the first address information and the first service information; verify the first address information, and if the first address information is the same as the cached address, return the first response information.

[0024] The business module is used to call the corresponding first business information based on the first service information;

[0025] The external network module is used to send the first business information to the corresponding service address.

[0026] Preferred options also include:

[0027] The device discovery module is also used to send a second MDNS packet to any device on the same network segment;

[0028] The intranet module is used to obtain and store the second response information.

[0029] The external network module is also used to obtain second business information and send the second business information to the corresponding service address.

[0030] Fourthly, this application provides an apparatus including a memory and a processor, the memory storing a computer program and the processor being configured to run the computer program to perform the device discovery method as described above.

[0031] Fifthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program is configured to execute the device discovery method as described above when it is run.

[0032] In summary, compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the technical solution provided in this application include at least the following:

[0033] When a device joins a local area network (LAN), this application involves a first device sending a first MDNS packet to several second devices in a selected group within the same network segment. Upon receiving the first MDNS packet, the second devices parse it to obtain first address information and first service information. They verify the first address information, and if it matches a cached address, they send a first response back to the first device. The first device then stores the first response information. Furthermore, the second devices invoke the corresponding first service information based on the first service information and send it to the corresponding service address on the external network. This enables automated operation of multiple devices, improves device management and service execution efficiency, and reduces the cost of device deployment and operation. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a device discovery system according to an embodiment of this application.

[0035] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of a device discovery method according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The following combination Figures 1-2The present application will be described in further detail below. The terminology used in the embodiments of the present application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0037] Reference Figure 1 The device discovery system disclosed in this application specifically includes:

[0038] The first device is used to send first MDNS packet information to several second devices in a selected group on the same network segment; obtain first response information, and store the first response information;

[0039] The second device is used to receive the first MDNS packet information, parse the first MDNS packet information to obtain the first address information and the first service information; verify the first address information, and if the first address information is the same as the cached address, send back the first response information; call the corresponding first service information according to the first service information; and send the first service information to the corresponding service address.

[0040] Specifically, existing device discovery technologies, such as MDNS or D2D, suffer from low discovery efficiency when dealing with a large number of devices. Both MDNS and D2D's point-to-point communication are inefficient in handling the simultaneous discovery and management of numerous devices. Manually configuring and connecting each device individually becomes cumbersome and time-consuming when the number is excessive. The device in this application integrates a device discovery module. When a device joins a local area network (LAN), the first device sends a first MDNS packet to several second devices in a selected group within the same network segment. Upon receiving the first MDNS packet, the second devices parse it to obtain first address information and first service information. They verify the first address information; if it matches a cached address, they send a first response to the first device. The first device stores the first response, and the second devices, based on the first service information, retrieve the corresponding first service information and send it to the corresponding service address on the external network. This application enables automated operation of batch devices, improving device management and service execution efficiency, thereby reducing device deployment and operation costs.

[0041] In this application, the first device can be a PC-side tool, and the second device can be another host device. The host and PC are deployed on the same network segment. The PC-side tool integrates a device discovery module, and the PC-side multicasts MDNS packets. The device discovery on the host responds normally. The MDNS device discovery packet carries the services required by the device, such as a log service, indicating that the device's log data will be exported to the corresponding log server IP port in real time.

[0042] Multicast is a network communication method used to send data from one source to a group of target devices. Unlike unicast, which sends data from one source to one target device, and broadcast, which sends data from one source to all devices, multicast allows data to be sent to a specific group of devices simultaneously.

[0043] Device discovery refers to the process of automatically discovering and identifying available devices in a network. This process allows devices to communicate with each other, establish connections, and share resources. Device discovery is crucial for building and managing networks, especially in large network environments, as it helps administrators and users quickly find and identify devices in the network for configuration, monitoring, troubleshooting, and resource sharing.

[0044] More specifically, MDNS is a protocol used for hostname and IP address resolution within a local area network (LAN). The standard MDNS signaling process includes host discovery, corresponding response, caching, periodic refresh, hostname resolution, and corresponding response. The MDNS implementation in this application is based on the UDP protocol and uses multicast addresses and port numbers for communication. Because MDNS operates within a LAN, it can easily perform hostname resolution without relying on an external DNS server.

[0045] Host discovery occurs when a device joins a local area network (LAN). For example, the first device to join will send an MDNS host discovery request, called an MDNS Query. This request is sent via multicast to a specific IP address and port number, such as IP address 224.0.0.251 and port number 5353. The request contains a special query record used to find other devices within the LAN.

[0046] The response to host discovery specifically involves other devices on the local area network receiving a host discovery request. For example, if a second device receives a request from a host, and its hostname matches the query record, it will send an MDNS response. In this embodiment, the second device receives the first MDNS packet information, verifies the first address information, and matches it with the cached address. If they match, it sends back a first response, called an MDNS Response. This response is also sent via multicast to the same IP address and port number. The response includes the device's IP address and other relevant information.

[0047] In one implementation method, the second device sends the first service information to the corresponding service address, specifically to the target service address on the external network.

[0048] Specifically, in this embodiment, the device discovery module of the second device parses the first service information after obtaining the MDNS packet. It then parses and retrieves the service information, and calls the corresponding business module based on the service type. For example, upon receiving a log service request, it calls the log module to redirect the log stream to the log server IP. That is, it calls the corresponding first business information based on the first service information and sends the first business information to the corresponding service address.

[0049] The method described in this application is a service implementation method for a single device. The MDNS packet multicast on the PC side can be pushed to all host devices in the same network segment, thereby enabling the export of service data from a batch of devices, realizing automated operation of a batch of devices, improving device management and service execution efficiency, and thus reducing the cost of device deployment and operation.

[0050] As one implementation method, it also includes:

[0051] The first device is also used to periodically send MDNS refresh information to several second devices according to a preset refresh time; obtain refresh response information; and update the stored data according to the refresh response information.

[0052] Specifically, in this embodiment of the application, after receiving an MDNS response, the first device caches the information in the response so that future hostname resolution requests can be responded to more quickly. Furthermore, the device periodically sends MDNS refresh requests, referred to as MDNS Announcements, to update the cached information of other devices.

[0053] This application embodiment also includes hostname resolution and corresponding responses. When a device, such as the first device, needs to resolve the IP address of a specific hostname, it sends an MDNS query request, called an MDNS Query. This request is also sent via multicast to the same IP address and port number. If other devices, such as several second devices, receive the query request and have a hostname matching the query record, they will send an MDNS response containing the corresponding IP address. The response processing involves the first device receiving the MDNS response, obtaining the required IP address, and performing corresponding network communication. This application embodiment uses a standard MDNS signaling transmission and reception process, enabling devices to resolve hostnames and IP addresses within a local area network, thus facilitating convenient network communication.

[0054] As one implementation method, it also includes:

[0055] The second device is also used to send second MDNS packet information to any device in the same network segment; obtain second response information and store the second response information; obtain second service information and send the second service information to the corresponding service address;

[0056] The accessory device is used to obtain the second MDNS packet information, parse the second MDNS packet information, and if the second address information obtained by parsing is the same as the preset address, parse the second MDNS packet information to obtain the second service information and send back the second response information; according to the second service information, call the corresponding second business information and send the second business information to the second device.

[0057] Specifically, in this embodiment of the application, the second host interacts with accessories such as a microphone and a touch-screen writing tablet. If the accessories need to communicate with the external network, the accessories send their service data to the host, which then forwards it. For example, after receiving a log service request, the accessory sends the logs to the host, which then relays them.

[0058] In this embodiment of the application, after the second host, i.e. the host device, starts up and successfully initializes the device discovery module, the host, as the sender, broadcasts an MDNS packet to the same network segment. The MDNS packet carries different service functions, such as a log service. The IP address, transmission type, and port used for log reception on the local machine indicate that the logs of all accessories in the same network segment need to be sent to the above-mentioned specified address.

[0059] Next, the accessory device receives the MDNS packet and sends an MDNS response to indicate that it has received the broadcast. The accessory then parses the MDNS packet to extract the service information and invokes the relevant business module to execute the corresponding service. For example, if the accessory receives an MDNS packet carrying a log service, it resolves the corresponding IP address, transport type, and port, and invokes the log service module to send the logs to the appropriate address.

[0060] The second device and accessory discovery interaction in this embodiment uses a broadcast method. Device discovery uses broadcast or multicast to send probe messages to find the presence of other devices in the network. This enables batch operation of accessories, improving service efficiency and solving the problem of manually operating each accessory one by one to export logs in existing technologies. Accessories and the host are on the same network segment. After the host broadcasts an MDNS packet, the accessory automatically sends its logs to the host side. Exporting the host-side logs will include logs from all accessories on the same network segment. Other batch operations are similar, such as pushing configurations and upgrades.

[0061] In this embodiment, the accessory is connected to the internal network card and cannot connect to the external network, so business data needs to be relayed. Using a method where the device interacts with an external network address reduces the need for accessory module setup and lowers costs.

[0062] The host device in this application supports pre-built service functions and allows specific hosts to export logs to specific target service addresses, unaffected by device discovery functionality. For example, if the log server carried in the PC-side MDNS is A, but the log server configured in the host device is B, the host will prioritize exporting logs to server B according to its own configuration, ensuring that data transmission prioritizes the transmission device and guarantees the timeliness of data transmission.

[0063] Reference Figure 2 This application provides a device discovery method, including:

[0064] Step S1: Receive the first MDNS packet information, parse the first MDNS packet information to obtain the first address information and the first service information; verify the first address information, and if the first address information is the same as the cached address, send back the first response information;

[0065] Step S2: Invoke the corresponding first business information based on the first service information;

[0066] Step S3: Send the first business information to the corresponding service address.

[0067] Specifically, the device discovery method of this application is configured in a second device. Several second devices can receive the first MDNS packet information via multicast. After obtaining the MDNS packet information, one of the second devices parses and triggers the device service, and sends it to the corresponding address on the external network through the relevant external network module to perform the operation.

[0068] As one implementation method, it also includes:

[0069] Step S4: Send the second MDNS packet information to any device on the same network segment;

[0070] Step S5: Obtain the second response information and store the second response information;

[0071] Step S6: Obtain the second service information and send the second service information to the corresponding service address.

[0072] Specifically, in this application embodiment, MDNS packet information is sent to more accessories via broadcast, and the accessories are discovered and connected through their self-identification function. This application method supports device discovery interaction between PC and host, as well as device discovery interaction between host and accessories, realizing automated operation of batch devices, improving device management and business execution efficiency, thereby reducing the cost of device deployment and operation.

[0073] This application provides a host device, including:

[0074] The device discovery module is used to receive the first MDNS packet information, parse the first MDNS packet information to obtain the first address information and the first service information; verify the first address information, and if the first address information is the same as the cached address, return the first response information.

[0075] The business module is used to call the corresponding first business information based on the first service information;

[0076] The external network module is used to send the first business information to the corresponding service address.

[0077] Specifically, this application is a second device in the system that receives information data from the first device by setting up a device discovery module, parses it, calls the corresponding service module when the device service is triggered, and sends service data to the target service address according to the external network module.

[0078] As one implementation method, it also includes:

[0079] The device discovery module is also used to send a second MDNS packet to any device on the same network segment;

[0080] The intranet module is used to obtain and store the second response information.

[0081] The external network module is also used to obtain second business information and send the second business information to the corresponding service address.

[0082] Specifically, in this embodiment, the device discovery module interacts with accessory devices through an intranet module, stores the response information obtained during the interaction, and sends the business information to the target business address through an extranet module after obtaining the business information, thereby realizing device discovery interaction between the PC and the host, as well as device discovery interaction between the host and the accessory.

[0083] This application provides an apparatus including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program and the processor is configured to run the computer program to perform the device discovery method as described above.

[0084] This application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program configured to execute the device discovery method described above when run.

[0085] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described devices and products can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0086] In several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed methods, systems, devices, and program products may be implemented in other ways.

[0087] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0088] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A device discovery system, characterized in that: include: The first device is used to send first MDNS packet information to a plurality of second devices in a selected group in the same network segment; Acquire first response information, and store the first response information; The second device is used to receive the first MDNS package information, parse the first MDNS package information, and obtain the first address information and the first service information; The first address information is verified, and when the first address information is the same as the cache address, first response information is fed back; the corresponding first business information is called according to the first service information; and the first business information is sent to the corresponding service address.

2. The device discovery system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: The second device is further used to send a second MDNS packet information to any device in the same network segment; Obtaining second response information, and storing the second response information; Obtaining the second business information, and sending the second business information to the corresponding service address; The accessory device is used to obtain the second MDNS package information, parse the second MDNS package information, and when the second address information obtained by the analysis is the same as the preset address, parse the second MDNS package information to obtain the second service information, and feedback the second response information; call the corresponding second business information according to the second service information, and send the second business information to the second device.

3. The device discovery system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: The first device is further configured to periodically send MDNS refresh information to a plurality of second devices according to a preset refresh time; Get the refresh response information and update the stored data according to the refresh response information.

4. The device discovery system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second device sends the first service information to a corresponding service address, specifically to an external network target service address.

5. A device discovery method, characterized in that: include: Receiving first MDNS package information, parsing the first MDNS package information, and obtaining first address information and first service information; Verify the first address information, and if the first address information is the same as the cache address, feed back first response information; Calling corresponding first business information according to the first service information; The first service information is sent to the corresponding service address.

6. The device discovery method according to claim 5, characterized in that: Also includes: Send the second MDNS packet information to any device in the same network segment; Obtaining second response information, and storing the second response information; The second service information is obtained, and the second service information is sent to a corresponding service address.

7. A host device, characterized in that: include: A device discovery module, used for receiving the first MDNS package information, parsing the first MDNS package information, and obtaining the first address information and the first service information; Verify the first address information, and if the first address information is the same as the cache address, feed back first response information; A business module, used for calling corresponding first business information according to the first service information; The external network module is used to send the first business information to the corresponding service address.

8. The host device according to claim 7, characterized in that: Also includes: The device discovery module is also used to send a second MDNS packet information to any device in the same network segment; The intranet module is used to obtain the second response information and store the second response information; The external network module is also used to obtain the second business information and send the second business information to the corresponding service address.

9. A device, characterized in that: The device comprises a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor is configured to run the computer program to execute the device discovery method according to any one of claims 5 to 6.

10. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, wherein the computer program is configured to execute the device discovery method according to any one of claims 5 to 6 when running.

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