Network system setting method and network system

Abstract

A network system setting method and a network system are disclosed. A network system setting method used in a network system including a plurality of network nodes, the network system setting method comprising: (a) a host device sending a setting information unit to a first network node, the setting information unit including an initial count value; (b) the first network node modifying the initial count value to a first count value and taking the first count value as a first target address; (c) the first network node confirming whether there is a second network node that can continue to send down; (d) if the second network node exists, sending the setting information unit to the second network node, the second network node modifying the first count value to a second count value and taking the second count value as a second target address of the second network node.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a network system configuration method and a network system, and more particularly to a network system configuration method and a network system that allows network nodes in the network system to independently establish routing tables and target addresses. Background Technology

[0002] The MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface) A-PHY specification defines that each A-PHY device must have its own target address and routing table. The target address resides in the adaptation layer, while the routing table serves as a reference for information forwarding. Only after each A-PHY device has its target address and routing table can the entire A-PHY system correctly send and receive packets. However, the MIPI A-PHY specification does not specify how A-PHY devices obtain their target addresses and routing tables. Often, manufacturers or users must configure the A-PHY device's target address and routing table through pre-configuration or by writing the information.

[0003] Therefore, a new method for configuring network systems is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One objective of this invention is to provide a network system configuration method that can automatically establish routing tables and target addresses.

[0005] Another objective of this invention is to provide a network system that can automatically establish routing tables and target addresses.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention establishes a network system configuration method for use in a network system comprising multiple network nodes connected in a daisy chain. The network system configuration method includes: (a) a host device sending a configuration information unit to a first network node of the multiple network nodes, the configuration information unit including an initial count value; (b) after modifying the initial count value to a first count value, the first network node uses the first count value as a first target address of the first network node; (c) the first network node confirming whether there is a second network node that can continue to send the information; (d) if the second network node exists, the configuration information unit is sent to the second network node, the second network node modifying the first count value to a second count value, and the second network node using the second count value as a second target address of the second network node.

[0007] Another embodiment of the present invention establishes a network system, including: a first network node; and a second network node, the first network node and the second network node being daisy-chained together. The first network node and the second network node are used to execute a network system setting method, the network system setting method including: (a) the first network node receiving a setting information unit sent by a host device, the setting information unit including an initial count value; (b) after the first network node modifies the initial count value to a first count value, the first network node uses the first count value as a first target address of the first network node; (c) the first network node confirming whether there is a second network node that can continue to send; and (d) if the second network node exists, sending the setting information unit to the second network node, after the second network node modifies the first count value to a second count value, the second network node uses the second count value as a second target address of the second network node.

[0008] According to the foregoing embodiments, the network system can automatically establish routing tables and target addresses without having to set them in advance or manually as in existing technologies. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0010] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of setting up a packet according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0011] Figure 3 An embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 The diagram shows the operation of the network system.

[0012] Figure 4 Another embodiment of the invention is shown. Figure 1 The diagram shows the operation of the network system.

[0013] Figure 5 A flowchart of a network system configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The present invention will be described below with reference to several embodiments. Please note that the terms "first," "second," and similar descriptions in the following description are only used to define different elements, parameters, information, signals, or steps, and are not intended to limit their order. For example, the first device and the second device may be devices with the same structure but different from each other.

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a network system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 As shown, network system 100 includes multiple network nodes connected in a daisy chain. In the following embodiment, a first network node NN_1, a second network node NN_2, and a third network node NN_3 are used for illustration. However, network system 100 is not limited to including... Figure 1 The number of network nodes shown is [number missing]. In the following embodiments, the network nodes of network system 100 are network devices conforming to the aforementioned MIPI A-PHY specification, i.e., the aforementioned A-PHY devices. However, any network device capable of performing the steps of the present invention should be included within the scope of the present invention. When a network node uses a specification other than MIPI A-PHY, the target address may be changed to the name corresponding to that specification.

[0016] In one embodiment, host device 101 sends a configuration packet SP to a network node at any endpoint of network system 100, i.e., the initial or final network node in a daisy chain. Host device 101 can be any device capable of generating a configuration packet SP, such as a computer. The configuration packet SP includes the configuration information required for the following steps. However, the configuration packet SP can also be presented in other information unit formats besides packets. Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the setting of a packet SP according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 As shown, the configuration packet SP includes the following parameters: command, status value, and count value. The command indicates whether the network node should perform the network system configuration method described in the following embodiments. The status value indicates which operation the network node should perform. The count value is used to allocate target addresses and calculate the total number of network nodes. Details of the command, status value, and count value will be described below.

[0017] Figure 3 An embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 The diagram illustrates the operation of the network system. In the following embodiments, CM represents the instruction in setting packet SP, S represents the status value, and C represents the counter value. Figure 3As shown, host device 101 sends a configuration packet SP to the first network node NN_1. In the configuration packet SP received by the first network node NN_1, the instruction is 0, indicating that the network node needs to perform a network configuration operation. The initial value of the status value in the configuration packet SP received by the first network node NN_1 is 0 (initial status value), representing that the first network node NN_1 is the controller (i.e., the first network node to receive the configuration packet SP). The first network node NN_1 will change the status value from 0 to 1 (first status value). A status value of 1 indicates that the network node is the target node, not the controller, meaning it is not the first network node to receive the configuration packet SP. In the following embodiments, the second network node NN_2 and the third network node NN_3 will both be configured as target nodes upon receiving a configuration packet SP with a status value of 1.

[0018] Furthermore, the initial value of the packet SP's count is set to 1 (initial count value). The first network node NN_1 will increment the count by 1 to become 2 (first count value) and use 2 as its target address. However, please note that the change in the count value is not limited to increasing or decreasing by 1 each time. Any change in the count value that can be used to allocate target addresses or calculate the total number of network nodes should fall within the scope of this invention.

[0019] The first network node NN_1 will check if there is a second network node NN_2 that can continue sending. Figure 3 In this embodiment, because the second network node NN_2 exists, the first network node NN_1 sends the modified configuration information unit SP to the second network node NN_2. If the second network node NN_2 does not exist, that is, the first network node NN_1 is the last network node, then the first network node NN_1 modifies the count value to 1 and the status value to 3 (the third status value), and sends the modified configuration packet SP back to the host device 101. The status value of 3 represents a report, indicating that the last network node has received the configuration packet SP and does not need to establish a routing table. In this example, because the count value is the initial count value of 1 and the status value is 3, the host device 101 knows that there is only one network node, and because there is only one network node, the first network node NN_1, the packet can only be sent through the first network node NN_1, therefore the first network node NN_1 does not establish a routing table.

[0020] After receiving the configuration information unit SP sent by the first network node NN_1, the second network node NN_2 recognizes it as the target node based on its status value of 1. NN_2 increments its counter from 2 to 3 (the second counter value) and sets 3 as its second target address. NN_2 then checks if a third network node NN_3 can continue transmitting the configuration packet SP to determine whether to pass it on. If the third network node NN_3 does not exist, NN_2 is the last network node. In this case, NN_2 changes its status value to 2 (the second status value), indicating that it is starting to build a routing table. NN_2 then sends the configuration packet SP back to the first network node NN_1 and builds its routing table. Upon receiving the configuration packet SP with a status value of 2, the first network node NN_1 also builds its routing table and sends the configuration packet SP back to the host device 101. The host device 101 receives a setting packet SP with a status value of 2 and a count value of 3, while the initial count value is 1. Therefore, the host device 101 knows that there are a total of 2 network nodes.

[0021] exist Figure 4 In this embodiment, because the third network node NN_3 exists, the second network node NN_2 sends the setting packet SP to the third network node NN_3. After the third network node NN_3 modifies the count value 3 to 4 (the third count value), the third network node NN_3 uses 4 as its third destination address. Figure 4 In this embodiment, the third network node NN_3 is the last network node. Therefore, as... Figure 3 The third network node NN_3 changes its state value to 2 (the second state value), indicating that the network node has begun building a routing table. Then, the configuration packet SP is sent from the third network node NN_3 back to the second network node NN_2, and then back to the first network node NN_1. Upon receiving the configuration packet SP with a state value of 2, the first network node NN_1 and the second network node NN_2 also build their routing tables. Finally, the first network node NN_1 sends the configuration packet SP back to the host device 101. The configuration packet received by the host device 101 has a state value of 2 and a count value of 4. Since the initial count value is 1, the host device 101 can determine that there are a total of 3 network nodes. In one embodiment, after receiving the configuration packet SP with a state value of 2, each network node NN_1 decides whether to send the configuration packet SP to the previous network node or to the host device 101, depending on whether it is a controller or a target node.

[0022] In one embodiment, a network node sets the port of the network node it is connected to as a sending port or a receiving port based on a pre-defined target address. For example, in Figure 1In the example, before the routing table and destination address are established, ports P_11 and P_12 of the first network node NN_1 are the receiving port and the sending port, respectively. Ports P_21 and P_22 of the second network node NN_2 are the receiving port and the sending port, respectively, and ports P_31 and P_32 of the third network node NN_3 are the receiving port and the sending port, respectively. Therefore, in the process of sending the configuration packet SP to the next network node (e.g., the first network node NN_1 sends it to the second network node NN_2), it is always sent from its own sending port to the next receiving port (e.g., port P_12 sends it to port P_21).

[0023] During the backhaul process (e.g., the second network node NN_2 sends data to the first network node NN_1), the target device will configure the port of the connected network node as a sending port or a receiving port according to the pre-set target address. For example, in the aforementioned embodiment, the target addresses of the first network node NN_1, the second network node NN_2, and the third network node NN_3 are 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The ports P_21 and P_22 of the second network node NN_2 are respectively connected to the port P_12 of the first network node NN_1 and the port P_31 of the third network node NN_3.

[0024] In this scenario, the second network node NN_2 will set the port of the network node with the larger target address as the sending port, for example, setting port P_31 of the third network node NN_3 as the sending port. Conversely, the second network node NN_2 will set the port of the network node with the smaller target address as the receiving port, for example, setting port P_12 of the first network node NN_1 as the receiving port. This ensures that the backhaul operation can proceed smoothly.

[0025] As mentioned above, the number of network nodes in the network system 100 of the present invention is not limited to three. Therefore, regardless of the number of network nodes in the network system 100, the routing table and target address can be established by following the aforementioned steps.

[0026] According to the foregoing embodiments, a network system setting method can be obtained. Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a network system configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. This network system configuration method can be used in a network system comprising multiple network nodes (e.g., Figure 1 The network system 100 shown here consists of network nodes connected in a daisy-chain configuration. The method for configuring this network system includes:

[0027] Step 501

[0028] A host device (e.g.) Figure 1The host device 101 sends a configuration information unit (e.g., a configuration packet SP) to a first network node (e.g., the first network node NN_1) of a plurality of network nodes. The configuration information unit includes an initial count value (e.g., 1).

[0029] Step 503

[0030] After modifying the initial count value to a first count value (e.g., 2), the first network node uses this first count value as a first target address of the first network node.

[0031] Step 505

[0032] The first network node checks if there is a second network node (e.g., NN_2) that can continue sending data.

[0033] Step 507

[0034] If the second network node exists, the setting information unit is sent to the second network node. After the second network node modifies the first count value to a second count value (e.g., 3), the second network node uses the second count value as a second target address of the second network node.

[0035] Other detailed steps have been described in the foregoing embodiments, and therefore will not be repeated here.

[0036] According to the foregoing embodiments, the network system can automatically establish routing tables and target addresses without having to set them in advance or manually as in conventional technologies.

[0037] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims of the present invention shall be covered by the present invention.

[0038] [Symbol Explanation]

[0039] 100 Network System

[0040] 101 Main Unit

[0041] NN_1 First Network Node

[0042] NN_2 Second Network Node

[0043] NN_3 Third Network Node

[0044] SP settings packet

[0045] Ports P11, P12, P21, P22, P31, and P32

Claims

1. A network system configuration method, used in a network system comprising multiple network nodes connected in a daisy-chain manner, the network system configuration method comprising: (a) A host device sends a setting information unit to a first network node of the plurality of network nodes, the setting information unit including an initial count value; (b) After modifying the initial count value to a first count value, the first network node uses the first count value as a first target address of the first network node; (c) The first network node confirms whether there is a second network node that can continue sending; as well as (d) If the second network node exists, the setting information unit is sent to the second network node. After the second network node modifies the first count value to a second count value, the second network node uses the second count value as a second target address of the second network node.

2. The network system configuration method according to claim 1, wherein step (d) further includes: If the second network node does not exist, the first network node modifies the first count value to the initial count value and then sends the setting information unit back to the host device.

3. The network system configuration method according to claim 1 further includes: The second network node checks whether there is a third network node from which to continue sending; If the third network node exists, the setting information unit is sent to the third network node. After the third network node modifies the second count value to a third count value, the third network node uses the third count value as a third target address of the third network node.

4. The network system configuration method according to claim 3, wherein, The second network node sets the port of the network node it is connected to as a sending port or a receiving port according to the first target address.

5. The network system setting method according to claim 1, wherein the setting information unit further includes an initial state value, and in step (d), the first network node changes the initial state to a first state value after receiving the setting information unit before sending the setting information unit to the second network node, wherein, The initial state value and the first state value are used to indicate the operations to be performed by the first network node and the second network node.

6. The network system configuration method according to claim 5 further includes: The second network node checks whether there is a third network node from which to continue sending; If the third network node does not exist, the first state value is changed to a second state value, and the setting information unit is sent back to the first network node.

7. The network system setting method according to claim 6, wherein both the first network node and the second network node respond to the second status value and respectively establish their routing tables.

8. In the network system setting method according to claim 6, in step (c), if the second network node does not exist, the first network node changes the first state value to a third state value and sends the setting information unit back to the host device.

9. The network system configuration method according to claim 1, wherein the configuration information unit is a packet.

10. A network system, comprising: The first network node; as well as A second network node, wherein the first network node and the second network node are connected in a daisy chain; The first network node and the second network node are used to execute a network system configuration method, the network system configuration method including: (a) The first network node receives a setting information unit sent by a host device, the setting information unit including an initial count value; (b) After the first network node modifies the initial count value to a first count value, the first network node uses the first count value as a first target address of the first network node; (c) The first network node confirms whether there is a second network node that can continue sending; (d) If the second network node exists, the setting information unit is sent to the second network node. After the second network node modifies the first count value to a second count value, the second network node uses the second count value as a second target address of the second network node.

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