Method and device for batch operation of industrial switches and electronic equipment
By providing a batch operation method for industrial switches, obtaining target operations and required parameters, and performing batch operations on target equipment, the problem of inefficiency in managing multiple industrial switches is solved, and efficient and accurate batch operation management is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510059621.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-15
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-25
AI Technical Summary
In large industrial network environments, the process of managing and maintaining multiple industrial switches is inefficient, error-prone, and requires scripting knowledge and maintenance.
A batch operation method for industrial switches is provided, including obtaining target operations and required batch operation parameters, and performing batch operations on target devices based on this information, such as batch setting of IP addresses, batch modification of passwords, batch configuration, batch backup, batch upgrade.
It realizes automated batch operations of multiple industrial switches, improves management efficiency, reduces error rates, and reduces the need for scripting and maintenance.
Smart Images
Figure CN119892624A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of industrial switches, and in particular, to a method, device, and system for batch operation of industrial switches. Background Art
[0002] In a large industrial network environment, several or even dozens of industrial switches are usually used to transmit network information. Therefore, the maintenance of multiple industrial switches has become a very important issue for the management and maintenance personnel of the industrial network environment.
[0003] Currently, there is a method of managing multiple industrial switches through manual configuration. When using this method, the administrator logs in to each switch one by one through the command line interface to configure and update, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive and prone to errors. Some administrators also automatically configure multiple switches by writing scripts and automation tools. This method saves time relatively, but requires script writing knowledge and maintenance work. Summary of the invention
[0004] In view of this, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method, an apparatus and an electronic device for batch operation of industrial switches, so as to at least partially solve the above problems.
[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a method for batch operation of an industrial switch is provided, comprising:
[0006] S110, obtaining a target operation to be performed, wherein the target operation is at least one of batch operations, and the batch operation includes at least one of batch setting IP addresses, batch modifying passwords, batch configuration, batch backup, and batch upgrade;
[0007] S120, acquiring batch operation parameters required for the target operation, wherein the batch operation parameters at least include device information of a target device used to perform the target operation;
[0008] S130: Execute the target operation on the target device based on the acquired target operation and the batch operation parameters.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for batch operation of an industrial switch, comprising:
[0010] A first acquisition module, the first acquisition module is used to acquire a target operation to be performed, the target operation is at least one of batch operations, and the batch operations include batch setting of IP addresses, batch modification of passwords, batch configuration, batch backup, and batch upgrade;
[0011] A second acquisition module, the second acquisition module is used to acquire batch operation parameters required for the target operation, wherein the batch operation parameters at least include device information of a target device used to perform the target operation;
[0012] The first execution module, the third acquisition module is used to execute the target operation on the target device based on the acquired target operation and the batch operation parameters.
[0013] According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an electronic device, comprising a processor, a memory, a communication interface and a communication bus, wherein the processor, the memory and the communication interface communicate with each other via the communication bus; the memory is used to store at least one executable instruction, and the executable instruction enables the processor to perform operations corresponding to the embodiment of the method of the present invention.
[0014] It can be seen that in the method based on the embodiment of the present invention, the target operation to be performed is first obtained, and then based on the selected target operation, the required batch operation parameters are obtained, and finally based on the determined target operation and the determined batch operation parameters, the target operations including batch setting of IP addresses, batch modification of passwords, batch configuration, batch backup, and batch upgrade are performed on the target devices, thereby realizing automatic batch operation of the target devices. This process replaces the method of performing operations one by one, and is efficient, simple to operate, and not prone to errors. The present invention also provides a device and electronic device for batch operation of industrial switches. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in the embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.
[0016] Figure 1 A flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention is exemplarily shown;
[0017] Figure 2 A flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention is exemplarily shown;
[0018] Figure 3 A flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention is exemplarily shown;
[0019] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the structure of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] List of reference numerals:
[0022] S110, obtaining a target operation to be performed, the target operation being at least one of batch operations, the batch operation including at least one of batch setting IP addresses, batch modifying passwords, batch configuration, batch backup, and batch upgrade;
[0023] S120, acquiring batch operation parameters required for the target operation, wherein the batch operation parameters at least include device information of a target device used to perform the target operation;
[0024] S130, executing the target operation on the target device based on the acquired target operation and the batch operation parameters;
[0025] S140, when executing the target operation on the target device, receiving status information returned by the target device that represents the status of the target operation;
[0026] S210, obtaining a pre-stored first parameter file, wherein the device information of the target device is pre-written in the first parameter file;
[0027] S220: Acquire a pre-stored second parameter file, in which target modification information corresponding to the target device is pre-written; the target modification information corresponds one-to-one to the device information in the first parameter file.
[0028] 100 Devices for batch operation of industrial switches
[0029] 110 first acquisition module, 120 second acquisition module, 130 first execution module
[0030] 600 electronic device, 602 processor, 604 communication interface, 606 memory
[0031] 608 communication bus DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] In the prior art, multiple industrial switches in an industrial environment network are usually managed by manual configuration, for example, logging into each switch one by one through the command line interface (CLI) for configuration. This method is inefficient and prone to errors. Alternatively, an automated script is written to automatically log into each switch and execute a set of predefined commands when the script is executed. However, this method requires script writing skills and is time-consuming to maintain.
[0033] Therefore, the present invention provides an industrial switch batch operation method, device and electronic equipment, which are used to solve the above technical problems and realize batch operation management of multiple industrial switches.
[0034] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described clearly and in detail below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the field based on the embodiments in the embodiments of the present invention should fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present invention.
[0035] The method, apparatus and electronic device according to the embodiments of the present invention implement management of multiple industrial switches and are also applicable to, for example, industrial routers or other industrial devices that can be operated and configured by executing commands.
[0036] The specific implementation of the embodiment of the present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] Figure 1 A flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention is exemplified; Figure 1 As shown, the industrial switch batch operation method includes:
[0038] S110, obtaining a target operation to be performed, wherein the target operation is at least one of batch operations; the batch operation includes at least one of batch setting IP addresses, batch modifying passwords, batch configuration, batch backup, and batch upgrade;
[0039] In this step, batch operation may refer to operating two or more target devices at the same time. The upper limit of the number of target devices for batch operation is determined by the performance of the execution system of the program used to execute the method, the industrial network bandwidth of the target devices, etc., and those skilled in the art may set it as needed in actual operation and optimize it repeatedly.
[0040] According to an embodiment of the present invention, batch setting of IP addresses refers to the initialization setting of IP addresses for multiple selected target devices at the same time, for example, assigning IP addresses to industrial switches newly connected to the industrial network; batch password modification refers to the password modification for multiple selected target devices at the same time, such as the modification of the initial password or the modification of subsequent passwords; batch configuration refers to the configuration of multiple selected target devices at the same time, such as turning on or off certain protocols in the target devices, modifying ports, etc.; batch backup refers to the simultaneous backup of the configuration, account password, etc. of multiple selected target devices; batch upgrade refers to the simultaneous upgrade of multiple selected target devices, such as the upgrade of firmware.
[0041] S120, acquiring batch operation parameters required for the target operation, wherein the batch operation parameters at least include device information of a target device used to perform the target operation;
[0042] In this step, different required batch operation parameters need to be obtained for the selected target operation, and these batch operation parameters at least include device information of the target device used to execute the target operation.
[0043] In one possible implementation, when the target operation is to set IP addresses in batches, the batch operation parameters include the physical address (e.g., Mac address) of the target device for the required batch operation, and the batch operation parameters also include the IP address assigned to the target device, and optionally, the subnet mask and gateway address of the IP address assigned to the target device.
[0044] In a possible implementation, when the target operation is to modify passwords in batches, the batch operation parameters include the IP address, login account, login password and new password of the target device. Optionally, the new password includes a new initial password or a new subsequent password, the new initial password is the new password for the first modification of the login password of the target device; the new subsequent password is the new password for a non-first modification of the login password of the target device; the target device can be modified with a new initial password or a new subsequent password as needed.
[0045] In a possible implementation, when the target operation is batch configuration, the batch operation parameters include the IP address, login account, login password and configuration command set of the target device.
[0046] In a possible implementation, when the target operation is batch backup, the batch operation parameters include at least the IP address of the target device, a login account, a login password, and an address of a backup server for storing backup files.
[0047] In a possible implementation, when the target operation is a batch upgrade, the batch operation parameters include at least the IP address, login account, login password of the target device and the upgrade server address and upgrade file name for storing the upgrade file.
[0048] S130: Execute the target operation on the target device based on the acquired target operation and the batch operation parameters.
[0049] In this step, after the target operation is determined, the target operation is performed on the target device based on the acquired batch operation parameters.
[0050] In a possible implementation, the target device is operated on based on multithreading, which greatly improves the efficiency of batch operation of the target device, and is particularly suitable for large-scale network environments. The application of multithreading technology can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work, and will not be expanded here.
[0051] Figure 2 Schematically shows a flow chart of a method according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 As shown, the method for batch operation of industrial switches according to the present invention also includes:
[0052] S140: Receive status information returned by the target device that represents the status of the target operation.
[0053] In the process of executing the target operation on the target device, the target operation status on the target device is obtained in real time, and the status information of the current target operation progress is reflected to the user through a graphical interface, such as successful login, device information of the currently operated target device, and the type of target operation, etc. In addition, when an abnormal state occurs, status information indicating the failure of the target operation is received.
[0054] Based on this embodiment, the progress of batch operations can be controlled as a whole to improve stability and interventionability.
[0055] Figure 3 A flowchart of a method according to another embodiment of the present invention is exemplarily shown; Figure 3 As shown, according to a batch operation method of an industrial switch according to another embodiment of the present invention, the S120 further includes:
[0056] S210, obtaining a pre-stored first parameter file, wherein the device information of the target device is pre-written in the first parameter file;
[0057] S220, obtaining a pre-stored second parameter file, in which target modification information corresponding to the target device is pre-written; the target modification information corresponds one-to-one to the device information in the first parameter file; and the S130 further includes: based on the first parameter file and the second parameter file, sending an operation instruction to the target device, the operation instruction including at least one of an IP address setting instruction, a password modification instruction, and a configuration instruction.
[0058] Based on this embodiment, in a possible implementation, when the target operation is to set IP addresses in batches, the physical address of the target device is pre-stored in the first path in the form of a first parameter file, and the IP address, subnet mask and gateway address allocated to the target device are pre-stored in the second path in the form of a second parameter file. The target device in the first parameter file and the IP allocation information in the second parameter file correspond one to one. In this way, when executing the target operation, the target device in the first parameter file and the IP allocation information in the second parameter file are corresponded, and the IP address setting instructions are executed in sequence. For example, the target device in the first line of the first parameter file is set using the IP address in the first line of the second parameter file, and the target device in the second line of the first parameter file is set using the IP address in the second line of the second parameter file, and so on...until all target devices in the first parameter file are assigned IP addresses.
[0059] Based on this embodiment, in a possible implementation method, the IP address, login account, and login password of the target device are pre-stored in a third path using a first parameter file, wherein the login account and login password can be the login account and the old initial password corresponding to the login account, or the login account and the old subsequent password corresponding thereto; a new password for modifying the password of the target device is pre-stored in a fourth path using a second parameter file, wherein the new password can be the new initial password for the initial modification of the target device, or the new subsequent password for the subsequent modification of the target device; when choosing to modify the new initial password, the first parameter file including the IP address, login account, and old initial password of the target device and the first parameter file including the new initial password are selected. The target device in the first parameter file and the new initial password in the second parameter file correspond one to one. When executed, the modify initial password instruction is executed in sequence, for example, the old initial password of the target device in the first parameter file is modified to the new initial password in the second parameter file; when choosing to modify the new subsequent password, the first parameter file including the IP address, login account, and old subsequent password of the target device and the second parameter file including the new subsequent password are selected, the target device in the first parameter file and the new subsequent password in the second parameter file correspond one to one. When executed, the modify subsequent password instruction is executed in sequence to modify the old modification password of the target device in the first parameter file to the new modification password in the second parameter file.
[0060] Based on this embodiment, in a possible implementation, the IP address, login account, and login password of the target device are pre-stored in the fifth path through the first parameter file, and the configuration command set to be configured is pre-stored in the sixth path through the second parameter file, and the target device in the first parameter file and the configuration command set in the second parameter file correspond one to one. When executed, the configuration commands are executed in sequence, and the configuration instructions in the second parameter file are completed for the target device in the first parameter file.
[0061] It should be noted that, in the above possible implementations, the first parameter file and the second parameter file can be implemented in a variety of different file formats, and the correspondence between the target device of the first parameter file and the target modification information of the second parameter file can also be implemented in a manner including but not limited to the above line breaks, file name correspondence, etc. In a possible implementation, the number of first parameter files and second parameter files is not strictly limited; for example, when the device information of the target device is stored in a first parameter file, and the target modification information is stored in multiple second parameter files, each second parameter file corresponds to the target device in the first parameter file in the order of its file name. The above correspondence between the target device and the IP information to be allocated in the first parameter file and the second parameter file is a technical means that can be implemented by those skilled in the art without creative labor, and is not strictly limited here.
[0062] In the above embodiments, the first path, the second path, ... to the sixth path may be paths on the device executing the method of the embodiment of the present invention, or may be paths on other devices remotely arranged outside the execution device, which is not limited here.
[0063] In the above embodiments, the first parameter file and the second parameter file may be optionally encrypted to ensure their security.
[0064] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes: before performing batch configuration on the target device, sending a backup instruction to the target device to back up the current configuration of the target device; and / or, after receiving the status information of the target device indicating the failure of the batch configuration operation, sending the rollback instruction to the target device.
[0065] In this embodiment, when the target operation is batch configuration, before sending the configuration instruction, a backup instruction is first sent to back up the current configuration of the target device, and when status information indicating that the batch configuration operation has failed is received, a rollback instruction is sent to the target device to restore the configuration of the target device to the backup configuration.
[0066] Through this embodiment, the security of batch configuration is further improved, and in the event of an operation failure, the state before the operation can be restored, thereby ensuring the stability and safety of the equipment.
[0067] Based on another embodiment of the present invention, when the target operation is batch backup, the IP address, login account, and login password of the target device are pre-stored in the seventh path through the third parameter file, and the server address for storing the backup file is determined by user input. When executed, the target devices in the third parameter file are backed up in sequence, and the backup file is stored in the server address input by the user, wherein the server address can be the server IP address of the default storage path. Similarly, there is no strict restriction on the type of the seventh parameter file.
[0068] In another embodiment based on this embodiment, the IP address, login account, and login password of the target device are pre-stored in the eighth path through the fourth parameter file, and the server address storing the upgrade file and the upgrade file name for the upgrade file are determined by user input. When executed, the upgrade file is used in sequence for the target device in the fourth parameter file to be upgraded. Similarly, there is no strict restriction on the file type of the fourth parameter file.
[0069] Based on the above embodiments, the automatic execution of batch setting of IP addresses, batch modification of passwords, batch configuration, batch backup, and batch upgrade of target devices is realized, replacing manual operations one by one, which is more efficient and less prone to errors.
[0070] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the device information of the industrial switch in the industrial network is also obtained through automatic acquisition. For example, the IP address, switch model and other device information of the industrial switch in the industrial network are obtained through DCP scanning. Through automatic acquisition, a device list is automatically generated, and can be presented to the user in the form of a graphical interface, and can be added, deleted, modified and checked. In addition, based on the generated device list, it is convenient to use it as the editing basis of the first parameter file in the above batch operation, further improving the efficiency of batch management of equipment.
[0071] Second aspect
[0072] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a device 100 for batch operation of an industrial switch is also provided. Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the structure of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown as follows: Figure 4As shown, the device 100 includes a first acquisition module 110, a second acquisition module 120 and a first execution module 130, wherein the first acquisition module 110 is used to acquire a target operation to be performed, the target operation is at least one of batch operations, and the batch operations include batch setting of IP addresses, batch modification of passwords, batch configuration, batch backup, and batch upgrade; the second acquisition module 120 is used to acquire batch operation parameters required for the target operation, wherein the batch operation parameters at least include device information of a target device for executing the target operation; and the third acquisition module is used to execute the target operation on the target device based on the acquired target operation and the batch operation parameters.
[0073] Based on the apparatus of the above embodiment, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus 100 further includes a status receiving module, which is used to receive status information representing the status of the target operation returned by the target device when the target operation is performed on the target device.
[0074] Based on the device of the above embodiment, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the second acquisition module 120 further includes a third acquisition module and a fourth acquisition module, the third acquisition module is used to acquire a pre-stored first parameter file, the first parameter file having device information of the target device pre-written therein; the fourth acquisition module is used to acquire a pre-stored second parameter file, the second parameter file having target modification information corresponding to the target device pre-written therein; the target modification information corresponds one-to-one to the device information in the first parameter file; and the first execution module 130 also sends an operation instruction to the target device based on the first parameter file and the second parameter file, the operation instruction including one of an IP address setting instruction, a password modification instruction, and a configuration instruction.
[0075] In addition to the apparatus of the above embodiments, the apparatus of the embodiments of the present invention can also be used to implement other steps in the aforementioned method embodiments, and has the beneficial effects of the corresponding method step embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.
[0076] The third aspect
[0077] According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an electronic device, comprising a processor 602, a memory 606, a communication interface 604 and a communication bus 608, wherein the processor 602, the memory 606 and the communication interface 604 communicate with each other via the communication bus 608; the memory is used to store at least one executable instruction, and the executable instruction enables the processor to perform an operation corresponding to the method described in any one of the above method embodiments.
[0078] Reference Figure 5, shows a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The specific embodiment of the present invention does not limit the specific implementation of the electronic device.
[0079] like Figure 5 As shown, the electronic device 600 may include a processor 602 , a communications interface 604 , a memory 606 , and a communications bus 608 , wherein the processor 602 , the communications interface 604 , and the memory 606 communicate with each other via the communications bus 608 .
[0080] A communication interface, used to communicate with other electronic devices or servers;
[0081] The processor is used to execute the program, and specifically can execute the relevant steps in the above method embodiment. Specifically, the program can include program code, and the program code includes computer operation instructions.
[0082] The processor may be a CPU, or an application specific integrated circuit ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of the present invention. The one or more processors included in the smart device may be processors of the same type, such as one or more CPUs; or processors of different types, such as one or more CPUs and one or more ASICs.
[0083] The memory is used to store programs. The memory may include a high-speed RAM memory, and may also include a non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk memory.
[0084] The program may include multiple computer instructions. Specifically, the program may enable a processor to execute operations corresponding to the method described in any of the aforementioned method embodiments through the multiple computer instructions.
[0085] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the units and method steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.
[0086] The above implementation methods are only used to illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, and are not limitations of the embodiments of the present invention. Ordinary technicians in the relevant technical field may make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical solutions also belong to the scope of the embodiments of the present invention. The patent protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention should be defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A method for batch operation of industrial switches, characterized in that: The method comprises: S110, obtaining a target operation to be performed, wherein the target operation is at least one of batch operations, and the batch operation includes at least one of batch setting IP addresses, batch modifying passwords, batch configuration, batch backup, and batch upgrade; S120, acquiring batch operation parameters required for the target operation, wherein the batch operation parameters at least include device information of a target device used to perform the target operation; S130: Execute the target operation on the target device based on the acquired target operation and the batch operation parameters.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: S140: When executing the target operation on the target device, receive status information returned by the target device that represents the status of the target operation.
3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: Before performing batch configuration on the target device, sending a backup instruction to the target device to back up the current configuration of the target device; and / or after receiving the status information of the target device indicating the failure of the batch configuration operation, sending the rollback instruction to the target device.
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The S120 further includes: S210, obtaining a pre-stored first parameter file, wherein the device information of the target device is pre-written in the first parameter file; S220, obtaining a pre-stored second parameter file, wherein the target modification information corresponding to the target device is pre-written in the second parameter file; the target modification information corresponds one-to-one to the device information in the first parameter file; and The S130 further includes: sending an operation instruction to the target device based on the first parameter file and the second parameter file, the operation instruction including at least one of an IP address setting instruction, a password modification instruction, and a configuration instruction.
5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: When the target operation is batch backup, the batch operation parameters include the IP address of the target device, the login account, the login password and the backup server address for storing backup files.
6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: When the target operation is a batch upgrade, the batch operation parameters include at least the IP address, login account, login password of the target device and the upgrade server address and upgrade file name for storing the upgrade file.
7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A target operation is performed on the target device based on multiple threads.
8. A device (100) for batch operation of industrial switches, characterized in that: include: A first acquisition module (110), the first acquisition module (110) is used to acquire a target operation to be performed, the target operation is at least one of batch operations, the batch operation includes at least one of batch setting of IP addresses, batch modification of passwords, batch configuration, batch backup, and batch upgrade; A second acquisition module (120), the second acquisition module (120) is used to acquire batch operation parameters required for the target operation, wherein the batch operation parameters at least include device information of a target device used to perform the target operation; The first execution module (130) is used for executing the target operation on the target device based on the acquired target operation and the batch operation parameters.
9. The device (100) for batch operation of industrial switches according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second acquisition module (120) further comprises: A third acquisition module, the third acquisition module is used to acquire a pre-stored first parameter file, in which device information of the target device is pre-written; a fourth acquisition module, the fourth acquisition module being used to acquire a pre-stored second parameter file, the target modification information corresponding to the target device being pre-written in the second parameter file; the target modification information corresponding to the device information in the first parameter file one-to-one; and The first execution module (130) also sends an operation instruction to the target device based on the first parameter file and the second parameter file, the operation instruction comprising one of an IP address setting instruction, a password modification instruction and a configuration instruction.
10. An electronic device (600), characterized in that: include: A processor (602), a memory (606), a communication interface (604), and a communication bus (608), wherein the processor (602), the memory (606), and the communication interface (604) communicate with each other via the communication bus (608); The memory (606) is used to store at least one executable instruction, and the executable instruction enables the processor (602) to perform an operation corresponding to the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.