Communication control device, communication control method, computer-readable storage medium, and communication control system

Abstract

The invention provides a communication control apparatus, a communication control method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a communication control system. The first wired communication unit (511) has a wired connection function. The second wired communication unit (512) has a wired connection function. The third wired communication unit (513) has a wired connection function and is connected to the node (21). The wireless communication unit (514) has a wireless communication function that can be connected to a plurality of wireless networks. A determination unit (5161) determines whether or not an adjacent device connected to the first wired communication unit (511) or the second wired communication unit (512) via a wired network is a communication control device having the same function. The communication control unit (5162) creates communication with another communication control device via a wireless network, and has a bridging function in which communication frames are transferred to an appropriate destination address between the first wired communication unit (511), the second wired communication unit (512), the third wired communication unit (513), and the wireless communication unit (514).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication control device, a communication control method, a computer-readable storage medium and a communication control system. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to realize redundancy in a communication network having a plurality of nodes, a method of connecting each node to a plurality of paths in a wired manner is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-112977

[0004] However, the conventional technology has a problem that redundancy of the communication network cannot be easily achieved in some cases.

[0005] For example, in the prior art, it is necessary to provide each node with the same number of physical communication ports as the number of connected paths. On the other hand, it is sometimes difficult to provide a plurality of communication ports due to reasons such as miniaturization of nodes.

[0006] use Fig. 9 A current communication control system will be described. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a current communication control system.

[0007] like Fig. 9 As shown, the communication control system 1a includes a switch 11, a node 21a, a node 22a, a node 23a, and a node 24a.

[0008] Here, a node is a device that performs information processing and communication. A node may also be referred to as a computer, etc. In addition, a wired communication unit is a communication port.

[0009] The node 21a includes a wired communication unit 211a and a wired communication unit 212a. The wired communication unit 211a is connected to the switch 11. The wired communication unit 212a is connected to the node 22a.

[0010] The node 22a includes a wired communication unit 221a and a wired communication unit 222a. The wired communication unit 221a is connected to the node 21a. The wired communication unit 222a is connected to the node 23a.

[0011] The node 23a includes a wired communication unit 231a and a wired communication unit 232a. The wired communication unit 231a is connected to the node 22a. The wired communication unit 232a is connected to the node 24a.

[0012] The node 24 a includes a wired communication unit 241 a and a wired communication unit 242 a . The wired communication unit 241 a is connected to the node 23 a . The wired communication unit 242 a is connected to the switch 11 .

[0013] Thus, the communication control system 1a has a network structure that realizes redundancy through a ring topology. However, as mentioned above, if multiple communication ports cannot be set in a node, it is impossible to realize Fig. 9 That kind of network structure.

[0014] In addition, the network sometimes passes Fig.10 Redundancy is achieved by using the topology shown in the figure. Fig.10 As shown, the communication control system 1b includes a switch 11, a switch 12, a node 21b, a node 22b, a node 23_1b, and a node 23_2b. The node 23_1b and the node 23_2b can make themselves redundant and exchange data with each other.

[0015] The node 21b includes a wired communication unit 211b, a wired communication unit 212b, a wired communication unit 213b, and a wired communication unit 214b. The wired communication unit 211b is connected to the switch 11. The wired communication unit 212b is connected to the node 22b. The wired communication unit 213b is connected to the switch 12. The wired communication unit 214b is connected to the node 22b.

[0016] The node 22b has a wired communication unit 221b, a wired communication unit 222b, a wired communication unit 223b, and a wired communication unit 224b. The wired communication unit 221b is connected to the node 21b. The wired communication unit 222b is connected to the node 23_1b. The wired communication unit 223b is connected to the node 21b. The wired communication unit 224b is connected to the node 23_2b.

[0017] The node 23_1b includes a wired communication unit 231b and a wired communication unit 232b. The wired communication unit 231b is connected to the node 22b.

[0018] The node 23_2b includes a wired communication unit 233b and a wired communication unit 234b. The wired communication unit 233b is connected to the node 22b.

[0019] Thus, in order to realize redundancy in the current communication control system, it is necessary to provide two to four communication ports in each device. Summary of the invention

[0020] One object is to easily implement redundancy in a communication network.

[0021] A communication control device involved in one aspect is characterized in that it has: a first wired communication unit, which has a wired connection function; a second wired communication unit, which has a wired connection function; a third wired communication unit, which has a wired connection function and is connected to a node; a wireless communication unit, which has a wireless communication function that can be connected to multiple wireless networks; a determination unit, which determines whether an adjacent instrument connected to the first wired communication unit or the second wired communication unit via a wired network is a communication control device with the same function; and a communication control unit, which establishes communication via a wireless network with other communication control devices and has the following bridging function, namely, forwarding communication frames to an appropriate target address between the first wired communication unit, the second wired communication unit, the third wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit.

[0022] One aspect involves a communication control method performed by a communication control device, which has: a first wired communication unit having a wired communication function; a second wired communication unit having a wired communication function; a third wired communication unit having a wired communication function and connected to a node; and a wireless communication unit having a wireless communication function capable of connecting to multiple wireless networks. The communication control method is characterized in that it includes the following steps: a determination step for determining whether an adjacent instrument connected to the first wired communication unit or the second wired communication unit via a wired network is a communication control device with the same function; and a communication control step for establishing communication via a wireless network with other communication control devices and performing the following bridging function, namely, forwarding communication frames to an appropriate target address between the first wired communication unit, the second wired communication unit, the third wired communication unit, and the wireless communication unit.

[0023] One aspect involves a computer-readable recording medium, characterized in that a communication control program is recorded, and the communication control device has: a first wired communication unit, which has a wired communication function; a second wired communication unit, which has a wired communication function; a third wired communication unit, which has a wired communication function and is connected to a node; and a wireless communication unit, which has a wireless communication function that can be connected to multiple wireless networks, and the communication control program causes the communication control device to perform the following processing: determine whether an adjacent instrument connected to the first wired communication unit or the second wired communication unit via a wired network is a communication control device with the same function; and establish communication via a wireless network with other communication control devices, and perform the following bridging function, that is, forwarding communication frames to an appropriate target address between the first wired communication unit, the second wired communication unit, the third wired communication unit, and the wireless communication unit.

[0024] A communication control system according to one aspect comprises a first node, a first communication control device, a second node and a second communication control device, wherein the communication control system is characterized in that the first communication control device comprises: a first wired communication unit having a wired communication function; a second wired communication unit having a wired communication function; a third wired communication unit having a wired communication function and connected to the first node; a first wireless communication unit having a wireless communication function capable of connecting to a plurality of wireless networks; and a first communication control unit which communicates with the first wired communication unit or the second wired communication unit via a wired network. 2 communication control device, establish communication with the second communication control device via a wireless network, and send frames sent from the first communication control device to the second communication control device to the second communication control device via both the wired network and the wireless network, the second communication control device comprising: a fourth wired communication unit having a wired communication function; a fifth wired communication unit having a wired communication function; a sixth wired communication unit having a wired communication function and connected to the second node; a second wireless communication unit having a wireless communication function capable of connecting to a plurality of wireless networks; and

[0025] A second communication control unit, which establishes communication with the first communication control device via the wireless network when the fourth wired communication unit or the fifth wired communication unit is connected to the first communication control device via the wired network, and sends frames sent from the second communication control device to the first communication control device to the first communication control device via both the wired network and the wireless network.

[0026] Effects of the Invention

[0027] According to one embodiment, redundancy of a communication network can be easily achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication control system according to the first embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication control system according to the first embodiment.

[0030] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication control system according to the first embodiment.

[0031] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication control system according to the first embodiment.

[0032] Figure 5It is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication control system according to the first embodiment.

[0033] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the communication control device.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the communication control device.

[0035] Figure 8 This is a diagram for explaining a hardware configuration example.

[0036] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a current communication control system.

[0037] Fig.10 is a diagram showing a current communication control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Below, the embodiments of the communication control device, communication control method, computer-readable storage medium, and communication control system disclosed in the present application are described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, the same reference numerals are used to mark the same elements and repeated descriptions are appropriately omitted. In addition, the various embodiments can be appropriately combined within the scope of non-contradiction.

[0039] use Figure 1 The configuration of the communication control system according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication control system according to the first embodiment.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, the communication control system 1 includes a switch 11, a node 21, a node 22, a node 23, and a node 24. In addition, each node can be connected to a sensor and an actuator.

[0041] Here, a node is a device that performs information processing and communication. A node may also be referred to as a computer, etc. In addition, the sensor sends a detected sensor value or a frame indicating a detection result based on the sensor value to the node using a predetermined communication protocol.

[0042] For example, a plant has sensors and actuators. The plant is, for example, an oil plant, a petrochemical plant, a chemical plant, or a gas plant. The plant operates to obtain products such as LNG (liquefied natural gas), resins (plastics, nylon, etc.), and chemical products.

[0043] In addition, the workshop has factory facilities, machinery facilities, production facilities, power generation facilities, storage facilities, facilities at the wellhead for extracting oil, natural gas, etc. In addition, there are equipment and instruments for generating products in the workshop.

[0044] The sensor acquires information related to the state of the workshop. For example, the sensor is a temperature sensor, a pH sensor, a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, an air pressure sensor, a gas concentration sensor, an instrument for detecting the opening of a valve, an instrument for detecting the state of a switch (on or off), etc. The actuator drives the valve, etc.

[0045] For example, the node 21 transmits a frame acquired from a sensor to the node 22. The node 22 performs a calculation process. The node 22 transmits a result of the calculation process (control signal, etc.) to an actuator, etc. connected to the node 23 via the node 23.

[0046] The configuration and operation of the nodes included in the communication control system 1 are not limited to those described here. The nodes included in the communication control system 1 only need to communicate data with each other.

[0047] The node 21 has a wired communication unit 211. The wired communication unit 211 is connected to the communication control device 51. The node 22 has a wired communication unit 221. The wired communication unit 221 is connected to the communication control device 52. The node 23 has a wired communication unit 231. The wired communication unit 231 is connected to the communication control device 53. The node 24 has a wired communication unit 241 and a wired communication unit 242. The wired communication unit 241 is connected to the communication control device 53. The wired communication unit 242 is connected to the switch 11.

[0048] Thus, each of the nodes 21, 22, and 23 is configured to have one wired communication unit. In addition, each wired communication unit may include, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) port connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) cable. The nodes 21, 22, and 23 are devices having one communication port, i.e., 1-port DEV (Device). On the other hand, the node 24 is a 2-port DEV (Device) having a built-in bridge having two communication ports.

[0049] Nodes are installed in narrow places or places with limited available space, so there are sometimes restrictions such as miniaturization, lightness, and simplified structure. Therefore, 2-port DEV such as node 24 may not always be realized, and sometimes it is limited to 1-port DEV.

[0050] According to the communication control device 51, the communication control device 52 and the communication control device 53 of the present embodiment, even when there is only one communication port set in the node, a redundant network structure is simply implemented between the nodes at least between the communication control device 51, the communication control device 52 and the communication control device 53.

[0051] The communication control device 51 includes a first wired communication unit 511, a second wired communication unit 512, a third wired communication unit 513, and a wireless communication unit 514. The first wired communication unit 511 is connected to the switch 11. The second wired communication unit 512 is connected to the wired communication unit 521 of the communication control device 52. The third wired communication unit 513 is connected to the wired communication unit 211 of the node 21.

[0052] The communication control device 52 includes a wired communication unit 521, a wired communication unit 522, a wired communication unit 523, and a wireless communication unit 524. The wired communication unit 521 is connected to the second wired communication unit 512 of the communication control device 51. The wired communication unit 522 is connected to the wired communication unit 531 of the communication control device 53. The wired communication unit 523 is connected to the wired communication unit 221 of the node 22.

[0053] The communication control device 53 includes a wired communication unit 531, a wired communication unit 532, a wired communication unit 533, and a wireless communication unit 534. The wired communication unit 531 is connected to the wired communication unit 522 of the communication control device 52. The wired communication unit 532 is connected to the wired communication unit 241 of the node 24. The wired communication unit 533 is connected to the switch 11.

[0054] Each wired communication unit is, for example, a wired communication module. The wired communication module is a module having a communication function corresponding to a prescribed wired communication protocol, such as an Ethernet module, a fiber channel module, and a USB module. In addition, the wireless communication unit is a wireless communication module. The wireless communication module is a module having a communication function corresponding to a prescribed wireless communication protocol, such as a WiFi (registered trademark) module, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module, and a LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) module.

[0055] The node and the communication control unit may be connected by USB (Universal Serial Bus) instead of Ethernet. In this case, the wired communication unit 211, the third wired communication unit 513, the wired communication unit 221, the wired communication unit 523, the wired communication unit 231, and the wired communication unit 533 include a USB port. In addition, the communication control device 51 can receive power supply from the node 21 via the USB port.

[0056] The operation of the communication control device 51, the communication control device 52, and the communication control device 53 will be described. In addition, the communication control device 51, the communication control device 52, and the communication control device 53 have the same function, so the communication control device 51, the communication control device 52, and the communication control device 53 described below can be replaced appropriately. The same processing as that performed between the communication control device 51 and the communication control device 52 is performed between the communication control device 52 and the communication control device 53.

[0057] First, if Figure 1 As shown, the communication control device 51 is connected to the switch 11 and the node 21 via a wired network. In addition, the communication control device 52 is connected to the node 22 via a wired network. The communication control devices 51 and 52 are connected to the wired network including the switch 11. In addition, an unillustrated device may be connected to the wired network.

[0058] The communication control device 51 determines whether the adjacent device connected via the wired network by the first wired communication unit 511 or the second wired communication unit 512 is a communication control device having the same function. For example, the communication control device 51 and the adjacent communication control device 52 transmit identification information indicating that they are specific communication control devices having the same function to each other and identify each other.

[0059] Identification information is, for example, a MAC address, an instrument ID preset for an instrument, etc. For example, information exchange between adjacent instruments is performed using protocols such as LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol). For example, the communication control device 51 identifies a communication control device 52 having a MAC address starting with a specific value and an instrument ID having a specific pattern as a communication control device having the same function.

[0060] And at this time, the communication control device 52 determines the communication control device 51 as another communication control device that meets the conditions by the same method as the communication control device 51. In this case, the communication control device 51 establishes communication via the wireless network with the determined communication control device. When the communication control device 52 is determined as the communication control device that meets the conditions, the communication control device 51 establishes wireless communication between the wireless communication unit 514 and the wireless communication unit 524.

[0061] For example, the communication control device 51 establishes communication with the communication control device 52 by pairing Bluetooth. Also, for example, the communication control device 51 establishes communication with the communication control device 52 by setting itself as a WiFi access point or by a point-to-point connection.

[0062] Therefore, if Figure 1As shown, the communication control device 51 and the communication control device 52 are connected by a wired network ( Figure 1 solid line) and wireless network ( Figure 1 By the same process, the communication control device 52 and the communication control device 53 are connected using both the wired network and the wireless network. Thus, a network structure in which redundancy is achieved at least between the communication control device 51, the communication control device 52, and the communication control device 53 is simply realized.

[0063] In addition, the communication control device 51 uses both the path via the wired network and the path via the wireless network to send the frame sent by the node 21 with the node 22 as the destination address. Moreover, in the case where the same frame is received from the communication control device 51 via both the wired network and the wireless network, the communication control device 52 forwards the frame received first to the node 22 and discards the frame received later. At this time, the same processing is performed when sending frames in the opposite direction, that is, when sending frames from the node 22 to the node 21 via the communication control device 52 and the communication control device 51. Therefore, it is assumed that even if any frame does not arrive accurately, there is no need for time-consuming processing such as re-sending the frame and switching from the abnormal network to the normal network.

[0064] Such forwarding and discarding of frames by the communication control system 1 can be realized by using a method such as IEEE 802.1CB (Frame Replication and Elimination for Reliability).

[0065] For example, Figure 2 As shown, even when there is no wired connection between the communication control device 51, the communication control device 52 and the communication control device 53 (for example, when the communication cable falls off), the wireless communication between the communication control device 51, the communication control device 52 and the communication control device 53 will not be interrupted. Figure 2 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication control system according to the first embodiment.

[0066] Even when a new node is added, the communication control system 1 can re-construct a network including the node. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The operation of the communication control system 1 when a node is added will be described. Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication control system according to the first embodiment.

[0067] like Figure 3As shown, consider a case where a node 25 is added to the communication control system 1 together with a communication control device 55. The node 25 has a wired communication unit 251. In addition, the communication control device 55 has a wired communication unit 551, a wired communication unit 552, a wired communication unit 553, and a wireless communication unit 554. The communication control device 55 has the same function as the communication control device 51.

[0068] The wired communication unit 251 of the node 25 is connected to the wired communication unit 553 of the communication control device 55. The wired communication unit 551 of the communication control device 55 is connected to the second wired communication unit 512 of the communication control device 51. The wired communication unit 552 of the communication control device 55 is connected to the wired communication unit 521 of the communication control device 52.

[0069] Here, the communication control device 55 performs the same processing as the aforementioned communication control device 51. That is, when the wired communication unit 551 or the wired communication unit 552 is connected to the wired network, the communication control device 55 identifies the adjacent device connected via the wired network as a communication control device having the same function.

[0070] For example, the communication control device 55 identifies the communication control device 51 and the communication control device 52 as communication control devices having the same function based on the predetermined identification information. In addition, the communication control device 51 and the communication control device 52 also perform processing to identify adjacent devices as communication control devices having the same function, using the connection with the communication control device 55 via the wired network as a trigger condition.

[0071] As a result, it constitutes Figure 4 The network shown in Figure 1 implements redundancy. Figure 4 In the example of , a network in which redundancy is achieved among the communication control device 51, the communication control device 55, the communication control device 52, and the communication control device 53 is constructed.

[0072] In this way, after the communication control device 51 establishes communication via the wireless network with the communication control device 52 connected to the second wired communication unit 512 via the wired network, the communication control device 51 continues to communicate with the communication control device 52 via the wireless network even when the communication control device 55 is connected to the second wired communication unit 512. Similarly, after the communication control device 52 establishes communication via the wireless network with the communication control device 51 connected to the wired communication unit 521 via the wired network, the communication control device 51 continues to communicate with the communication control device 51 via the wireless network even when the wired communication unit 521 is connected to the communication control device 55. At this time, the communication control device 51 and the communication control device 52 do not communicate via the communication control device 55, and only temporary communication is performed between the communication control device 51 and the communication control device 55 and between the communication control device 52 and the communication control device 55. When the communication control device 55 is determined as a communication control device having the same function through this temporary communication, communication via the wireless network is established between the communication control device 51 and the communication control device 55 and between the communication control device 52 and the communication control device 55. In addition, after the communication control device 51 and the communication control device 52 are connected to the communication control device 55 and before the communication via the wireless network is established, the communication via the wireless network established between the communication control device 51 and the communication control device 52 is disconnected. Thus, a new communication control device 55 can be added between the communication control device 51 and the communication control device 52 without disconnecting the wireless communication between the communication control device 51 and the communication control device 52, while keeping the wireless communication between the communication control device 51 and the communication control device 52 unchanged.

[0073] use Figure 5 The configuration of the communication control device 51 will be described. Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication control device according to the first embodiment. The configurations of the communication control device 52 , the communication control device 53 , and the communication control device 55 are the same as that of the communication control device 51 .

[0074] like Figure 5 As shown, the communication control device 51 includes a first wired communication unit 511, a second wired communication unit 512, a third wired communication unit 513, a wireless communication unit 514, a storage unit 515, and a control unit 516. In addition, the "first", "second", etc. parts marked on the wired communication unit can be appropriately omitted.

[0075] The first wired communication unit 511 and the second wired communication unit 512 have a wired communication function. The third wired communication unit 513 has a wired communication function and is connected to the node 21. The wireless communication unit 514 has a wireless communication function.

[0076] The storage unit 515 stores various data and various programs executed by the control unit 516. For example, the storage unit 515 is a storage device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory. The storage unit 515 stores various data generated in the processing executed by the communication control device 51, such as data obtained during the execution of various processing by the control unit 516 and processing results obtained by executing various processing, as needed.

[0077] The control unit 516 is a processing unit that manages the entire communication control device 51. The control unit 516 is a computing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microcomputer having a processor. The control unit 516 includes a determination unit 5161 and a communication control unit 5162.

[0078] When the first wired communication unit 511 or the second wired communication unit 512 is connected to a wired network, the determination unit 5161 determines whether the adjacent device connected via the wired network is a communication control device having the same function. For example, the determination unit 5161 determines whether the adjacent device is a communication control device having the same function based on predetermined identification information.

[0079] In addition, the determination unit 5161 may determine a plurality of other communication control devices that are connected to the wired network and that meet the conditions. Figure 1 In the example of , the communication control device 52 identifies the communication control device 51 and the communication control device 53. In this case, the communication control device 52 only needs to store identification information that can identify both the communication control device 51 and the communication control device 53 in advance.

[0080] The communication control unit 5162 establishes communication via a wireless network with other communication control devices. In addition, the communication control unit 5162 has a bridging function for forwarding communication frames to an appropriate destination address between the first wired communication unit 511, the second wired communication unit 512, the third wired communication unit 513, and the wireless communication unit 514, and when the same frame is received from other communication control devices via both the wired network and the wireless network, the frame received first is forwarded to the node 21, and the frame received later is discarded.

[0081] In addition, when a plurality of communication control devices are specified by the specifying unit 5161, the communication control unit 5162 establishes communication via the wireless network with each of the plurality of communication control devices.

[0082] use Figure 6 The process of establishing a wireless network by the communication control device will be described. Figure 6This is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the communication control device.

[0083] like Figure 6 As shown, first, the communication control device 51 waits until a trigger condition occurs while connected to a wired network (No in step S101) (step S101). The trigger condition may be connection to a wired network, connection to a wired network and a certain time has passed, or manual operation.

[0084] When a trigger condition is generated (Yes in step S101 ), the communication control device 51 determines whether an adjacent device connected via the wired network is a communication control device having the same function (step S102 ).

[0085] When the adjacent instrument does not satisfy the condition (is not a communication control device with the same function) (No in step S103), the communication control device 51 only continues to communicate via the wired network of the appropriate wired communication unit. In addition, the communication control device 51 can reset the trigger condition and return to the start. On the other hand, when the adjacent instrument satisfies the condition (is a communication control device with the same function) (Yes in step S103), the communication control device 51 creates a wireless network with the communication control device that satisfies the condition (step S104).

[0086] use Figure 7 The following describes the frame transfer process performed by the communication control device. Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the communication control device.

[0087] like Figure 7 As shown, first, the communication control device 51 receives a frame from any one of the wired network and the wireless network (step S201).

[0088] When it is determined that the information of the received frame is stored in the storage unit 515 (Yes in step S202), the communication control device 51 deletes the stored information and discards the received frame (step S203). On the other hand, when it is determined that the information of the received frame is not stored in the storage unit 515 (No in step S202), the communication control device 51 stores the information of the received frame in the storage unit 515 and forwards the received frame to an appropriate destination address (step S204). The information of the frame is, for example, a hash value calculated based on the entire frame, a sequence number intentionally inserted into the frame by an adjacent communication control device, etc. When the information intentionally inserted into the frame is used, it is removed from the frame before forwarding the frame.

[0089] The frame discarding may be not forwarding the received frame, not storing the received frame in the memory, or actively deleting the received frame.

[0090] As described so far, the first wired communication unit 511 and the second wired communication unit 512 have a wired communication function. The third wired communication unit 513 has a wired communication function and is connected to the node 21. The wireless communication unit 514 has a wireless communication function that can be connected to multiple wireless networks. When the first wired communication unit 511 or the second wired communication unit 512 is connected to a wired network, the determination unit 5161 determines whether the adjacent instruments connected via the wired network are communication control devices with the same function. The communication control unit 5162 establishes communication via a wireless network with other communication control devices. Thus, even if each node has only one communication port, redundancy of the main path of the communication network can be easily achieved.

[0091] In addition, the identification unit 5161 identifies another communication control device identified by predetermined identification information. Thus, the communication control device 51 can verify and reliably determine whether the condition that the adjacent device is a communication control device having the same function is satisfied.

[0092] In addition, when the same frame is received from other communication control devices via both the wired network and the wireless network, the communication control unit 5162 forwards the frame received first to the node 21 and discards the frame received later. Therefore, with respect to the communication control unit 5162, even if any frame is not accurately received, it is assumed that there is no need for time-consuming processing such as retransmission of the frame and switching from an abnormal network to a normal network, so that stable operation of communication is achieved as a result.

[0093] [system]

[0094] The information including the processing flow, control flow, specific names, various frames, and parameters described above and shown in the drawings can be changed arbitrarily except for cases where special description is given.

[0095] In addition, the components of each device shown in the figure are functional concepts and do not necessarily need to be physically configured as shown in the figure. That is, the specific way of distributing and integrating each device is not limited to the way shown in the figure. That is, all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed / integrated in arbitrary units according to various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0096] Furthermore, all or any part of each processing function performed by each device may be realized by a CPU and a program analyzed and executed by the CPU, or may be realized as hardware based on wired logic.

[0097] [hardware]

[0098] Next, a hardware configuration example of the communication control device 51 will be described. Figure 8 The communication control device 51 and the communication control device 52 have the same Figure 8 The communication control device 500 has the same hardware structure.

[0099] like Figure 8 As shown, the communication control device 500 includes a communication device 500a, a HDD 500b, a memory 500c, and a processor 500d. Figure 8 The various components shown are connected to each other by a bus or the like.

[0100] The communication device 500a is a network interface card or the like, and performs communication with external devices and apparatuses. Figure 5 The program and data for executing the functions shown are stored.

[0101] The processor 500d reads and executes data from the HDD 500b and the like. Figure 5 The same processing program is developed in the memory 500c in each processing unit as shown in FIG. Figure 5 The process of each function described in the above etc. executes the action. For example, this process executes the same function as each processing unit of the communication control device 51. Specifically, the processor 500d reads a program having the same function as the determination unit 5161 and the communication control unit 5162 from the HDD 500b etc. Then, the processor 500d executes the following process, that is, executes the same processing as the determination unit 5161 and the communication control unit 5162.

[0102] In this way, the communication control device 51 performs an operation as a communication control device that executes the communication control method by reading and executing the program. In addition, the communication control device 51 can also read the above program from the recording medium using a medium reading device and execute the read program, thereby realizing the same function as the above embodiment. In addition, the program described in other embodiments is not limited to being executed by the communication control device 51. For example, when other computers or servers execute the program, or when they execute the program in collaboration, the present invention can also be applied in the same way.

[0103] The program can be deployed via a network such as the Internet. In addition, the program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a floppy disk (FD), a CD-ROM, an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and read from the recording medium by a computer for execution.

[0104] Several examples of combinations of disclosed technical features are described below.

[0105] (1) A communication control device, characterized in that:

[0106] The communication control device comprises:

[0107] a first wired communication unit having a wired connection function;

[0108] a second wired communication unit having a wired connection function;

[0109] a third wired communication unit having a wired connection function and connected to the node;

[0110] a wireless communication unit having a wireless communication function capable of connecting to a plurality of wireless networks;

[0111] a determination unit that determines whether an adjacent device connected to the first wired communication unit or the second wired communication unit via a wired network is a communication control device having the same function; and

[0112] A communication control unit establishes communication with other communication control devices via a wireless network and has a bridging function for forwarding communication frames to an appropriate target address among the first wired communication unit, the second wired communication unit, the third wired communication unit, and the wireless communication unit.

[0113] (2) The communication control device according to (1), characterized in that:

[0114] The determination unit determines whether the adjacent device is a communication control device having the same function based on predetermined identification information.

[0115] (3) The communication control device according to (1) or (2), characterized in that:

[0116] The identification unit identifies another communication control device having a MAC address starting with a specific value or another communication control device having a device ID having a specific pattern as a communication control device having the same function.

[0117] (4) The communication control device according to any one of (1) to (3), characterized in that:

[0118] When the communication control unit receives the same frame from another communication control device via both the wired network and the wireless network, the communication control unit transfers the frame received first to an appropriate destination and discards the frame received later.

[0119] (5) The communication control device according to any one of (1) to (4), characterized in that:

[0120] After establishing communication via the wireless network with the second communication control device connected to the second wired communication unit via the wired network, the communication control unit connects the second wired communication unit and the third communication control device, and when the determination unit determines the third communication control device, establishes communication via the wireless network with the third communication control device.

[0121] (6) The communication control device according to (4), characterized in that:

[0122] The communication control unit disconnects the communication established with the second communication control device via the wireless network after the second wired communication unit is connected to the third communication control device and before the communication is established with the third communication control device via the wireless network.

[0123] (7) A communication control method is performed by a communication control device, the communication control device comprising:

[0124] a first wired communication unit having a wired communication function;

[0125] a second wired communication unit having a wired communication function;

[0126] a third wired communication unit having a wired communication function and connected to the node; and

[0127] The wireless communication unit has a wireless communication function capable of connecting to a plurality of wireless networks, and the communication control method is characterized in that:

[0128] The process includes the following:

[0129] a determining step of determining whether an adjacent device connected to the first wired communication unit or the second wired communication unit via a wired network is a communication control device having the same function; and

[0130] The communication control process establishes communication with other communication control devices via a wireless network and performs the following bridging function, namely, forwarding communication frames to an appropriate target address between the first wired communication unit, the second wired communication unit, the third wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit.

[0131] (8) A computer-readable recording medium having a communication control program recorded thereon, wherein:

[0132] The communication control device has:

[0133] a first wired communication unit having a wired communication function;

[0134] a second wired communication unit having a wired communication function;

[0135] a third wired communication unit having a wired communication function and connected to the node; and

[0136] a wireless communication unit having a wireless communication function capable of connecting to a plurality of wireless networks,

[0137] The communication control program causes the communication control device to execute the following processing:

[0138] determining whether an adjacent device connected to the first wired communication unit or the second wired communication unit via a wired network is a communication control device having the same function; and

[0139] It establishes communication with other communication control devices via a wireless network and performs a bridge function of forwarding communication frames to an appropriate destination address among the first wired communication unit, the second wired communication unit, the third wired communication unit, and the wireless communication unit.

[0140] (9) A communication control system comprising a first node, a first communication control device, a second node, and a second communication control device, wherein:

[0141] The first communication control device comprises:

[0142] a first wired communication unit having a wired communication function;

[0143] a second wired communication unit having a wired communication function;

[0144] a third wired communication unit having a wired communication function and connected to the first node;

[0145] a first wireless communication unit having a wireless communication function capable of connecting to a plurality of wireless networks; and

[0146] a first communication control unit that, when the first wired communication unit or the second wired communication unit is connected to the second communication control device via a wired network, establishes communication with the second communication control device via a wireless network, and transmits a frame to be transmitted from the first communication control device to the second communication control device to the second communication control device via both the wired network and the wireless network,

[0147] The second communication control device comprises:

[0148] a fourth wired communication unit having a wired communication function;

[0149] a fifth wired communication unit having a wired communication function;

[0150] a sixth wired communication unit having a wired communication function and connected to the second node;

[0151] a second wireless communication unit having a wireless communication function capable of connecting to a plurality of wireless networks; and

[0152] A second communication control unit, which establishes communication with the first communication control device via the wireless network when the fourth wired communication unit or the fifth wired communication unit is connected to the first communication control device via the wired network, and sends frames sent from the second communication control device to the first communication control device to the first communication control device via both the wired network and the wireless network.

[0153] (10) The communication control system according to (9), characterized in that:

[0154] When the first communication control unit receives the same frame from the second communication control device via both the wired network and the wireless network, the first communication control unit forwards the frame received first to an appropriate destination address and discards the frame received later.

[0155] When the second communication control unit receives the same frame from the first communication control device via both the wired network and the wireless network, the second communication control unit transfers the frame received first to an appropriate destination and discards the frame received later.

[0156] Description of the label

[0157] 1 Communication control system

[0158] 11 Switch

[0159] 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 nodes

[0160] 51, 52, 53, 55 Communication control device

[0161] 211, 221, 231, 241, 242, 521, 522, 523, 531, 532, 533, 551, 552, 553 Wired Communications Department

[0162] 511 1st Wired Communications Department

[0163] 512 2nd Wired Communications Department

[0164] 513 3rd Wired Communications Department

[0165] 514, 524 Wireless Communication Department

[0166] 515 Storage

[0167] 516 Control Department

[0168] 5161 Determination Department

[0169] 5162 Communication Control Department

Claims

1. A communication control device, characterized in that: The communication control device comprises: a first wired communication unit having a wired connection function; a second wired communication unit having a wired connection function; a third wired communication unit having a wired connection function and connected to the node; a wireless communication unit having a wireless communication function capable of connecting to a plurality of wireless networks; a determination unit that determines whether an adjacent device connected to the first wired communication unit or the second wired communication unit via a wired network is a communication control device having the same function; and A communication control unit establishes communication with other communication control devices via a wireless network and has a bridging function for forwarding communication frames to an appropriate target address among the first wired communication unit, the second wired communication unit, the third wired communication unit, and the wireless communication unit.

2. The communication control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The determination unit determines whether the adjacent device is a communication control device having the same function based on predetermined identification information.

3. The communication control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The identification unit identifies another communication control device having a MAC address starting with a specific value or another communication control device having a device ID having a specific pattern as a communication control device having the same function.

4. The communication control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the communication control unit receives the same frame from another communication control device via both the wired network and the wireless network, the communication control unit transfers the frame received first to an appropriate destination and discards the frame received later.

5. The communication control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: After establishing communication via the wireless network with the second communication control device connected to the second wired communication unit via the wired network, the communication control unit connects the second wired communication unit and the third communication control device, and when the determination unit determines the third communication control device, establishes communication via the wireless network with the third communication control device.

6. The communication control device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The communication control unit disconnects the communication established with the second communication control device via the wireless network after the second wired communication unit is connected to the third communication control device and before the communication is established with the third communication control device via the wireless network.

7. A communication control method, which is performed by a communication control device, the communication control device having: a first wired communication unit having a wired communication function; a second wired communication unit having a wired communication function; a third wired communication unit having a wired communication function and connected to the node; and The wireless communication unit has a wireless communication function capable of connecting to a plurality of wireless networks, and the communication control method is characterized in that: The process includes the following steps: a determining step of determining whether an adjacent device connected to the first wired communication unit or the second wired communication unit via a wired network is a communication control device having the same function; and The communication control process establishes communication with other communication control devices via a wireless network and performs the following bridging function, namely, forwarding communication frames to an appropriate target address between the first wired communication unit, the second wired communication unit, the third wired communication unit and the wireless communication unit.

8. A computer-readable recording medium having a communication control program recorded thereon, wherein the recording medium is characterized in that: The communication control device has: a first wired communication unit having a wired communication function; a second wired communication unit having a wired communication function; a third wired communication unit having a wired communication function and connected to the node; and a wireless communication unit having a wireless communication function capable of connecting to a plurality of wireless networks, The communication control program causes the communication control device to execute the following processing: determining whether an adjacent device connected to the first wired communication unit or the second wired communication unit via a wired network is a communication control device having the same function; and It establishes communication with other communication control devices via a wireless network and performs a bridge function of forwarding communication frames to an appropriate destination address among the first wired communication unit, the second wired communication unit, the third wired communication unit, and the wireless communication unit.

9. A communication control system comprising a first node, a first communication control device, a second node, and a second communication control device, wherein: The first communication control device comprises: a first wired communication unit having a wired communication function; a second wired communication unit having a wired communication function; a third wired communication unit having a wired communication function and connected to the first node; a first wireless communication unit having a wireless communication function capable of connecting to a plurality of wireless networks; and a first communication control unit that, when the first wired communication unit or the second wired communication unit is connected to the second communication control device via a wired network, establishes communication with the second communication control device via a wireless network, and transmits a frame to be transmitted from the first communication control device to the second communication control device to the second communication control device via both the wired network and the wireless network, The second communication control device comprises: a fourth wired communication unit having a wired communication function; a fifth wired communication unit having a wired communication function; a sixth wired communication unit having a wired communication function and connected to the second node; a second wireless communication unit having a wireless communication function capable of connecting to a plurality of wireless networks; and A second communication control unit, which establishes communication with the first communication control device via the wireless network when the fourth wired communication unit or the fifth wired communication unit is connected to the first communication control device via the wired network, and sends frames sent from the second communication control device to the first communication control device to the first communication control device via both the wired network and the wireless network.

10. The communication control system according to claim 9, characterized in that: When the first communication control unit receives the same frame from the second communication control device via both the wired network and the wireless network, the first communication control unit forwards the frame received first to an appropriate destination address and discards the frame received later. When the second communication control unit receives the same frame from the first communication control device via both the wired network and the wireless network, the second communication control unit transfers the frame received first to an appropriate destination and discards the frame received later.

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