Network communication method

Abstract

A network communication method is used for a control panel to communicate with a plurality of devices. The plurality of devices has a first network protocol address. The network communication method includes sending a first request using the first network protocol address; receiving a first reply information respectively replied by the plurality of devices in response to the first request, wherein the first reply information of each of the plurality of devices comprises a second network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices; and communicating with the plurality of devices using the second network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices. Since no additional DHCP server is needed, the work burden of technicians for setting up network environment can be greatly reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a communication method, and more particularly to a network communication method. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, when a control panel on a network needs to communicate with multiple identical devices, it cannot directly communicate with a specific device because each device has the same Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address. Therefore, a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server must be used to assign a dynamic IP address to each device, ensuring that each device has a unique IPv4 address before communication can occur. However, this communication method requires an additional DHCP server to assign a dynamic IP address to each device before communication can begin, which is inconvenient in practice.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for a method that does not require the prior allocation of dynamic IP addresses by a DHCP server for communication. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One embodiment of the present invention provides a network communication method. The network communication method is used for a control panel to communicate with multiple devices. Each of the multiple devices has a first network protocol address. The network communication method includes sending a first request using the first network protocol address; receiving first response information from each of the multiple devices in response to the first request, wherein the first response information from each of the multiple devices includes a second network protocol address for each of the multiple devices; and communicating with the multiple devices using the second network protocol address of each of the multiple devices.

[0005] In some embodiments, communicating with the plurality of devices using the second network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices further includes: sending a second request to each of the plurality of devices according to the second network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices; receiving a second response message from each of the plurality of devices in response to the second request, wherein the second response message from each of the plurality of devices includes the modified first network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices, wherein the modified first network protocol addresses of each of the plurality of devices are different from each other; and communicating with the plurality of devices using the modified first network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices.

[0006] In some implementations, the second requirement is to change the first network protocol address, and each of the plurality of devices further responds to the second requirement by changing the first network protocol address.

[0007] In some implementations, the first network protocol address is the Internet Protocol version 4 (IP4) address.

[0008] In some implementations, the second network protocol address is the Internet Protocol version 6 address.

[0009] In some implementations, the first requirement is a simple service discovery protocol for finding devices.

[0010] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a network communication method. The network communication method is used for a control panel to communicate with multiple devices. Each of the multiple devices has a first network protocol address. The network communication method includes: receiving a first request sent by the control panel according to the first network protocol address; responding to the first request by generating a first response message and replying to the control panel, wherein the first response message of each of the multiple devices includes a second network protocol address of the multiple devices; and receiving a communication request initiated by the control panel according to the second network protocol address of each of the multiple devices.

[0011] In some embodiments, receiving the communication request initiated by the control panel based on the second network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices further includes: receiving a second request sent by the control panel based on the second network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices; responding to the second request by generating a second response message to reply to the control panel, wherein the second response message of each of the plurality of devices includes the modified first network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices, wherein the modified first network protocol addresses of each of the plurality of devices are different from each other; and receiving the communication request initiated by the control panel using the modified first network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices.

[0012] In some implementations, the second requirement is to change the first network protocol address, and each of the plurality of devices further responds to the second requirement by changing the first network protocol address.

[0013] In some implementations, the first network protocol address is the Internet Protocol version 4 (IP4) address.

[0014] In some implementations, the second network protocol address is the Internet Protocol version 6 address.

[0015] In some implementations, the first requirement is a simple service discovery protocol for finding devices.

[0016] The network communication method proposed in this case utilizes the fact that each device has a different Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) address. Based on the characteristics of IPv6, a request is sent over the network to request each device to return its own IPv6 address. Then, using each device's IPv6 address, communication is established with the specific device to request a change from its original IPv4 address. Since this method does not require the installation of an additional DHCP server, it significantly reduces the workload of technicians in configuring the network environment. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the specification, serve to explain the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a network environment according to a preferred embodiment of this invention.

[0019] Figure 2A The diagram shown is a flowchart of a network communication method according to a preferred embodiment of this invention.

[0020] Figure 2B The diagram shown is a flowchart of a method for changing a network address according to a preferred embodiment of this case.

[0021] Figure 3A The diagram shown is a flowchart of a network communication method according to another preferred embodiment of this invention.

[0022] Figure 3B The diagram shown is a flowchart of a method for changing a network address according to another preferred embodiment of this invention.

[0023] The reference numerals in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0024] 100: Network Environment

[0025] 110: Console

[0026] 112, 114 and 116: Network devices

[0027] 200 and 300: Network Communication Methods

[0028] 210-230: Steps

[0029] 231-233: Steps

[0030] 310-330: Steps

[0031] 331-333: Steps Detailed Implementation

[0032] The following disclosure provides numerous different embodiments or examples for implementing various features of the invention. Components and configurations in the specific examples are used in the following discussion to simplify this disclosure. Any examples discussed are for illustrative purposes only and do not in any way limit the scope or meaning of the invention or its examples. Furthermore, numerical symbols and / or letters may be repeatedly referenced in different examples; such repetitions are for simplification and explanation and do not themselves specify the relationship between the different embodiments and / or configurations discussed below.

[0033] Unless otherwise specified, the terms used throughout this specification and claims generally have their ordinary meaning in the context of this art, the content of this disclosure, and the specific content thereof. Certain terms used to describe this disclosure will be discussed below or elsewhere in this specification to provide additional guidance to those skilled in the art in describing this disclosure.

[0034] The term "coupled" or "connected" as used in this article can refer to two or more components making direct physical or electrical contact with each other, or making indirect physical or electrical contact with each other. "Coupled" or "connected" can also refer to two or more components operating or moving with each other.

[0035] In this document, the use of terms such as first, second, and third, etc., is understood to be for describing various components, parts, regions, layers, and / or blocks. However, these components, parts, regions, layers, and / or blocks should not be limited by these terms. These terms are limited to identifying a single component, part, region, layer, and / or block. Therefore, a first component, part, region, layer, and / or block in the following text may also be referred to as a second component, part, region, layer, and / or block without departing from the spirit of the invention. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any combination of one or more of the listed related items. "And / or" as used in this document refers to any combination of any, all, or at least one of the listed components.

[0036] Traditionally, when a control panel on a network needs to communicate with multiple identical devices, a DHCP server must first assign a dynamic network address to each device, ensuring each device has a unique IPv6 address before communication can occur. This requires additional time for technicians to configure the network environment, making it inconvenient to use. Therefore, this solution utilizes the fact that each device has a different Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) address. Based on the characteristics of IPv6, a request is sent over the network to request each device to return its own IPv6 address, which is then used to communicate with the specific device. Since this solution eliminates the need for an additional DHCP server, it significantly reduces the workload for technicians in configuring the network environment.

[0037] Figure 1 The diagram shows a schematic representation of a network environment according to a preferred embodiment of this invention. In some embodiments, the network environment 100 includes a control panel 110 and multiple identical network devices 112, 114, and 116. Network devices 112, 114, and 116 are identical devices with the same network protocol address, such as a first network protocol address. The control panel 110 is used to configure network devices 112, 114, and 116. In some embodiments, the control panel 110 is, for example, a server. Network devices 112, 114, and 116 are, for example, network-connected mobile devices. The control panel 110 can configure corresponding parameters for network devices 112, 114, and 116 via the network to suit the usage environment. It is worth noting that this embodiment uses three network devices as an example to illustrate the application of this invention; however, the network communication method of this invention is not limited to communicating with three network devices.

[0038] Figure 2A The diagram shown is a flowchart of a network communication method according to a preferred embodiment of this invention. Because network devices 112, 114, and 116 are the same network devices and have the same first network protocol address, the control panel 110 cannot directly communicate with each of the network devices 112, 114, and 116. Therefore, the network communication method 200 can be applied to... Figure 1 On the control panel 110 in the network environment 100 shown, the network protocol addresses of each network device 112, 114, and 116 can be changed, allowing the control panel 110 and each network device 112, 114, and 116 to communicate directly without the need for an additional DHCP server. This significantly reduces the workload of technicians in configuring the network environment. Unless otherwise specified, the order of operations in the network communication method mentioned in this embodiment can be adjusted according to actual needs, and they can even be performed simultaneously or partially simultaneously. Furthermore, in different embodiments, these operations can be adaptively added, replaced, and / or omitted. Please also refer to... Figure 1 as well as Figure 2A .

[0039] In network communication method 200, firstly in step 210, a first request is sent using a first network protocol address. In some embodiments, control panel 110 may broadcast this first request over the network using the first network protocol addresses of each network device 112, 114, and 116. Upon receiving the first request, each network device 112, 114, and 116 will reply with a first reply message including its own device information. In some embodiments, the first request is a Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP) M-Search request. The first network protocol address is an Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address, but this invention is not limited to this.

[0040] Next, in step 220, a first response message is received from each network device in response to the first request. In some embodiments, the control panel 110 may receive first response messages from each network device 112, 114, and 116 in response to the first request, including their respective device information. The respective device information includes at least a second network protocol address for each network device 112, 114, and 116. In some embodiments, the second network protocol address is an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) address, but this is not a limitation of this embodiment. This is because network devices 112, 114, and 116, although having the same IPv4 address, have different IPv6 addresses. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control panel 110 sends a Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSP) device search request to each network device 112, 114, and 116, causing each network device 112, 114, and 116 to reply with its respective IPv6 address to the control panel 110.

[0041] In step 230, communication is established using the respective second network protocol addresses of the network devices. In some embodiments, when the control panel 110 receives the IPv6 addresses replied by each of the network devices 112, 114, and 116, since each of the network devices 112, 114, and 116 has a different IPv6 address, the control panel 110 can communicate through the respective IPv6 addresses of each of the network devices 112, 114, and 116.

[0042] In some implementations, the control panel 110 can communicate via the respective IPv6 addresses of each network device 112, 114, and 116 to issue network address change requests to network devices 112, 114, and 116, such as requesting each network device 112, 114, and 116 to change their respective IPv4 addresses, so that each network device 112, 114, and 116 has different IPv4 addresses. Accordingly, step 230 may further include a network address change procedure, such as... Figure 2BThe diagram shown is a flowchart of a method for changing a network address according to a preferred embodiment of this invention. Please also refer to... Figure 1 , Figure 2A as well as Figure 2B .

[0043] First, in step 231, a second request is sent to each network device based on its second network protocol address. In some embodiments, after the control panel 110 receives the IPv6 addresses replied by each network device 112, 114, and 116, the control panel 110 can send a second request to a specific network device using the IPv6 addresses of each network device 112, 114, and 116. In some embodiments, because network devices 112, 114, and 116 have the same first network protocol address, i.e., IPv4 address, the second request can be a request to change the first network protocol address, i.e., the IPv4 address, of each network device 112, 114, and 116. When each network device 112, 114, and 116 receives this second request, it will respond by changing its own first network protocol address and reply to the control panel 110 with second reply information including the changed first network protocol address.

[0044] In step 232, a second response message is received from each network device in response to the second request. In some embodiments, the control panel 110 may receive responses from each network device 112, 114, and 116 in response to the second request, including the modified first network protocol address of each network device 112, 114, and 116. In some embodiments, the modified first network protocol address is an Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address; however, this invention is not limited to this, and the modified first network protocol addresses of each network device 112, 114, and 116 are different from each other.

[0045] Next, in step 233, communication is established using the modified first network protocol address of each network device. In some embodiments, when the control panel 110 receives the modified first network protocol address (i.e., IPv4 address) from each network device 112, 114, and 116, since each network device 112, 114, and 116 has a different IPv4 address, the control panel 110 can communicate through the respective IPv4 addresses of each network device 112, 114, and 116. Therefore, this invention eliminates the need for an additional DHCP server, allowing each network device 112, 114, and 116 to have different IPv4 addresses, significantly reducing the workload of technicians in configuring the network environment.

[0046] Figure 3AThe diagram shown is a flowchart of a network communication method according to another preferred embodiment of this invention. Because network devices 112, 114, and 116 are the same network devices and have the same first network protocol address, such as an IPv4 address, the control panel 110 cannot directly communicate with each of the network devices 112, 114, and 116. Therefore, the network communication method 300 can be applied to... Figure 1 On each network device 112, 114, and 116 in the network environment 100 shown, their respective first network protocol addresses are changed to be different from each other. This allows the control panel 110 to communicate directly with each network device 112, 114, and 116 without the need for an additional DHCP server, thus significantly reducing the workload of technicians in configuring the network environment. Unless otherwise specified, the order of operations in the network communication method mentioned in this embodiment can be adjusted according to actual needs, and they can even be performed simultaneously or partially simultaneously. Furthermore, in different embodiments, these operations can be adaptively added, replaced, and / or omitted. Please also refer to... Figure 1 as well as Figure 3A .

[0047] In network communication method 300, firstly in step 310, a first request is received from the control panel according to a first network protocol address. In some embodiments, each network device 112, 114, and 116 receives this first request broadcast on the network by the control panel 110 using the first network protocol address of each network device 112, 114, and 116. In some embodiments, the first request is a device search (M-Search) request from the control panel 110 using a Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP). The first network protocol address is an Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address, but this is not a limitation of the present invention.

[0048] In step 320, a first response message is generated in response to the first request and sent back to the control panel. In some embodiments, when network devices 112, 114, and 116 receive this first request, they will each reply with a first response message including their respective device information. The respective device information includes at least a second network protocol address for each network device 112, 114, and 116. In some embodiments, network devices 112, 114, and 116 may have the same IPv4 address but different IPv6 addresses. Therefore, the second network protocol address is an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) address, but this is not a limitation of the present invention.

[0049] In step 330, the control panel receives a communication request initiated by each network device based on its second network protocol address. In some embodiments, when the control panel 110 receives the second network protocol address, i.e., the IPv6 address, from each network device 112, 114, and 116, since each network device 112, 114, and 116 has a different IPv6 address, each network device 112, 114, and 116 can communicate with the control panel 110 through its respective IPv6 address.

[0050] In some implementations, the console 110 can communicate with each network device 112, 114, and 116 via their respective IPv6 addresses to issue changes to their respective IPv4 addresses, thus giving each network device 112, 114, and 116 a different IPv4 address. Accordingly, step 330 may further include a process for receiving changed network addresses, such as... Figure 3B The diagram shown is a flowchart of a method for changing a network address according to another preferred embodiment of this invention. Please also refer to... Figure 1 , Figure 3A as well as Figure 3B .

[0051] First, in step 331, the control panel receives a second request sent by each network device based on its second network protocol address. In some embodiments, each network device 112, 114, and 116 receives the second request sent by the control panel 110 through its respective IPv6 address. In some embodiments, the second request may be a request to change the first network protocol address of each network device 112, 114, and 116, i.e., a request to change its IPv4 address.

[0052] In step 332, a second response message is generated in response to the second request. In some embodiments, when network devices 112, 114, and 116 receive this second request, they will respond to the second request by changing their respective first network protocol addresses and replying to control panel 110 with second response messages including the changed first network protocol address. In some embodiments, the changed first network protocol address is an Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address, but this invention is not limited to this. The changed first network protocol addresses of each network device 112, 114, and 116 are different from each other.

[0053] Next, in step 333, the control panel receives communication requests initiated by each network device using the modified first network protocol address. In some embodiments, when the control panel 110 receives the modified first network protocol address, i.e., the IPv4 address, from each network device 112, 114, and 116, each network device 112, 114, and 116 can communicate with the control panel 110 through its respective IPv4 address, since each network device 112, 114, and 116 has a different IPv4 address. Therefore, this invention eliminates the need for an additional DHCP server, allowing each network device 112, 114, and 116 to have different IPv4 addresses, significantly reducing the workload of technicians in configuring the network environment.

[0054] As can be seen from the above implementation method, this invention utilizes the fact that each device has a different Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) address. Based on the characteristics of IPv6, a request is sent over the network to request each device to return its own IPv6 address. Then, using their respective IPv6 addresses, communication is established with the specific device to request a change of the original IPv4 address. Since this invention does not require the installation of an additional DHCP server, the workload of technicians in configuring the network environment can be significantly reduced.

[0055] Although the embodiments have been disclosed above, they are not intended to limit the scope of this case. Anyone skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of this case. Therefore, the scope of protection of this case shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A network communication method for communication between multiple devices, wherein the multiple devices have a first network protocol address, characterized in that, This network communication method includes: Send a first request using the first network protocol address; Receive a first response message from each of the plurality of devices in response to the first request, wherein the first response message from each of the plurality of devices includes a second network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices; and The second network protocol address of each of the multiple devices is used to communicate with the multiple devices.

2. The network communication method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Communicating with the plurality of devices using the second network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices, further including: Based on the second network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices, a second request is sent to each of the plurality of devices; Receive a second response message from each of the plurality of devices in response to the second request, wherein each of the plurality of devices' second response messages includes a modified first network protocol address for each of the plurality of devices, and the modified first network protocol addresses of each of the plurality of devices are different from each other; and The modified first network protocol address is used to communicate with each of the multiple devices.

3. The network communication method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The second requirement is to change the first network protocol address, and each of the plurality of devices further responds to the second requirement by changing the first network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices.

4. The network communication method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first network protocol address is the Internet Protocol version 4 address.

5. The network communication method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second network protocol address is the Internet Protocol version 6 address.

6. The network communication method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first requirement is a search device requirement for a simple service discovery protocol.

7. A network communication method for multiple devices to communicate with a control panel, wherein the multiple devices have a first network protocol address, characterized in that... This network communication method includes: Receive a first request sent by the control panel according to the first network protocol address; In response to the first request, a first response message is generated and sent back to the control panel, wherein the first response message of each of the plurality of devices includes a second network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices; The control panel receives a communication request initiated by the control panel based on the second network protocol address of each of the multiple devices.

8. The network communication method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, Receiving the communication request initiated by the control panel based on the second network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices further includes: The control panel receives a second request sent by each of the plurality of devices according to the second network protocol address; In response to the second request, a second response message is generated and sent back to the control panel, wherein the second response message of each of the plurality of devices includes a modified first network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices, wherein the modified first network protocol addresses of each of the plurality of devices are different from each other; and The control panel receives the communication request initiated by the modified first network protocol address of each of the multiple devices.

9. The network communication method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The second requirement is to change the first network protocol address, and each of the plurality of devices further responds to the second requirement by changing the first network protocol address of each of the plurality of devices.

10. The network communication method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The first network protocol address is the Internet Protocol version 4 address.

11. The network communication method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The second network protocol address is the Internet Protocol version 6 address.

12. The network communication method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The first requirement is a search device requirement for a simple service discovery protocol.

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