Switch system

Abstract

The utility model provides a switch system, and relates to the technical field of network switches, and the switch system comprises a core switch and a plurality of access layer switches. The core switch is connected with each access layer switch; the core switch is configured with a management VLAN with an IP address; the terminal equipment of each access layer switch is provided with a user VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) which can be communicated with the management VLAN; each access layer switch is configured with a static route that can be routed to the core switch. When the configuration of the switch is changed, the core switch can be accessed from any access layer switch without directly connecting to a physical port of the switch, and the configuration information of other switches is changed through the core switch, so that the maintenance efficiency of the switch is greatly improved, and the maintenance difficulty and the maintenance cost of the switch are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of network switch technology, and more particularly to a switch system. Background Technology

[0002] A switch is a network device used to connect multiple devices (such as computers, printers, servers, etc.) to form a local area network (LAN). It improves network efficiency and security by forwarding data frames and accurately sending data to the appropriate port based on the destination MAC address. Switches play a core role in a network, enhancing the performance, security, and reliability of LANs through efficient data forwarding and network isolation. They also support large-scale network expansion and are essential infrastructure for modern enterprise networks and data centers.

[0003] Existing switches are typically configured using a console cable. Administrators connect their computers to the switch's console interface via the console cable, log in to the CLI interface using a terminal tool, perform basic switch configurations (such as setting hostnames, VLANs, IP addresses, etc.), and save the configurations.

[0004] The applicant discovered through a search that Chinese patent publication number CN209962246U discloses a box-type intelligent control device and network monitoring system based on optical port communication. It can be connected to the control terminal via a console line for staff to configure the program, reducing the difficulty of equipment installation and labor costs.

[0005] However, the existing switch configuration method requires on-site visits to the switch location and modification of its configuration using a console cable when changes are needed. If modifications are required for all switches, this necessitates traveling across almost the entire factory area, increasing the workload of staff, reducing work efficiency, and significantly increasing switch maintenance costs and difficulty. Utility Model Content

[0006] One of the technical problems this application aims to solve is that existing switch configuration methods require on-site visits to the switch location and modification of its configuration using a console cable when changes are needed. If modifications are required for all switches, this necessitates traveling across almost the entire factory area, increasing the workload of staff, reducing work efficiency, and significantly increasing switch maintenance costs and difficulties.

[0007] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a switching system, including: a core switch and multiple access layer switches;

[0008] The core switch is connected to each access layer switch;

[0009] The core switch is configured with a management VLAN with an IP address;

[0010] Each access layer switch's terminal device is configured with a user VLAN that can communicate with the management VLAN;

[0011] Each access layer switch is configured with a static route that can be routed to the core switch.

[0012] In some embodiments, the core switch is connected to each access layer switch via a wireless network or a wired network.

[0013] In some embodiments, the wired network includes a fiber optic network and a twisted-pair network.

[0014] In some embodiments, the terminal device includes a desktop computer, a laptop computer, and an all-in-one computer.

[0015] In some embodiments, the switching system further includes: access layer switch configuration software;

[0016] The access layer switch configuration software is built into each terminal device.

[0017] In some embodiments, the switch system further includes a PING tool.

[0018] The PING tool is used to test the connectivity between each switch and the core switch, as well as the connectivity between the switches themselves.

[0019] The above technical solution provides a virtual entry point for other devices through a core switch with a specific IP address. Each access layer switch connected to the core switch has a user VLAN configured to communicate with the management VLAN, enabling communication between switches within the local area network. Furthermore, each access layer switch is configured with a static route to the core switch. Through static routes, each access layer switch can accurately forward cross-VLAN or non-local data to the core switch. The core switch, as the central device of the network, handles all routing tasks and enables communication between VLANs. When changing switch configurations, the core switch can be accessed from any access layer switch without directly connecting to the switch's physical port. Modifying the configuration information of other switches through the core switch greatly improves switch maintenance efficiency and reduces maintenance difficulty and costs. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a switch system disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a connectivity test process for a switch system disclosed in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The detailed description of the following embodiments and the accompanying drawings are used to illustrate the principles of this application by way of example, but should not be used to limit the scope of this application. This application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

[0024] These embodiments are provided to make the application thorough and complete, and to fully express the scope of the application to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement of components and steps, material composition, numerical expressions, and values ​​illustrated in these embodiments should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limiting.

[0025] It should be noted that, in the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more; the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationship, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0026] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this application do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different parts. "Vertical" is not strictly vertical, but within the permissible margin of error. "Parallel" is not strictly parallel, but within the permissible margin of error. Terms such as "including" or "contains" mean that the element preceding the word encompasses the element listed after it, and do not exclude the possibility of encompassing other elements as well.

[0027] It should also be noted that, in the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application depending on the specific circumstances. When a specific device is described as being located between a first device and a second device, an intermediary device may or may not be present between the specific device and the first or second device.

[0028] All terms used in this application have the same meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains, unless otherwise specifically defined. It should also be understood that terms defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant art, and not as idealized or highly formalized, unless expressly defined herein.

[0029] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, they should be considered part of the specification.

[0030] Reference manual attached Figure 1 The diagram shows a schematic representation of a switch system disclosed in an embodiment of this application.

[0031] Figure 1 In this context, the access layer switch N is the Nth switch, and the specific number of switches N can be determined based on the actual production scenario.

[0032] This application provides a switching system, including a core switch and multiple access layer switches. The core switch is connected to each access layer switch. The core switch is configured with a management VLAN with IP addresses. Each access layer switch's terminal device is configured with a user VLAN that can communicate with the management VLAN. Each access layer switch is configured with static routes that can be routed to the core switch.

[0033] The core switch is the central device of the local area network (LAN), connecting all access layer switches and handling most of the traffic, including cross-VLAN communication, network routing, and data forwarding. Access layer switches are devices located at the network edge, connecting end-user devices (such as computers, printers, IP phones, etc.) and aggregating their traffic to the core switch. An IP address is a unique identifier for a network device, used to mark its location within the network and facilitate communication between devices. Management VLANs are VLANs specifically used to manage network devices (such as switches and routers), usually separated from user VLANs to improve network security. User VLANs are logical networks used to isolate and manage user devices within the network; each VLAN typically corresponds to a specific user group or function. Static routes are routing rules manually configured by the administrator, specifying how access layer switches forward non-local data (such as cross-VLAN traffic) to the core switch.

[0034] It's important to note that the core switch is the "central hub" of the entire network and must be remotely manageable. By assigning an IP address to the management VLAN, administrators can access the core switch through this IP address to perform configuration, monitoring, and maintenance tasks. After configuring an IP address, administrators can log in to the core switch from any computer within the network without needing to directly connect to the switch's physical port.

[0035] Reference manual attached Figure 2 The diagram illustrates a flowchart of a connectivity test for a switch system disclosed in an embodiment of this application.

[0036] Figure 2 The connectivity testing process for this switch system is as follows: First, complete the physical network topology and configure the core switch. Then, configure the access layer switches sequentially. After configuring each access layer switch, test it using any computer connected to it, including checking whether it meets the expected connectivity (e.g., whether communication with the core switch and other access layer switches is normal). If the test fails, return to modify the configuration until the test passes. Finally, when the connectivity tests of all access layer switches meet expectations, the entire configuration process is complete. Here, access layer switch N is the Nth switch, and the specific number of switches N can be determined based on the actual production scenario.

[0037] Optionally, this switching system can be used during the setup of the production network for a battery module project. After configuring the production network of the battery module project using this configuration scheme, any switch within the network can be configured from any computer within the network, greatly reducing the workload of maintenance personnel and improving work efficiency.

[0038] After implementing the physical network topology of the switch system, a network connectivity verification is required. Specifically: First, select any computer on access layer switch 1 for testing: First, check if it can ping the core switch. Second, check if it can ping access layer switches 2, 3, and N. Third, check if it can configure the switches using the switch configuration software. If the test fails, check the configuration of the core switch and access layer switches, identify the problem, and modify the configuration until the test succeeds. Then, select any computer on access layer switches 2, 3, and N in sequence for retesting. When any computer on any access layer switch can access and configure any switch within the network, the configuration scheme is complete.

[0039] The above configuration scheme allows any computer on the local area network to configure any switch on the network, greatly reducing the workload of system maintenance personnel. This allows maintenance personnel to focus more on solving practical problems without having to do extra physical labor, thus significantly improving work efficiency.

[0040] In practical applications, the core switch acts as the central device of the network, assigning management VLANs and configuring specific IP addresses to provide a unified virtual entry point for all access layer switches. Each access layer switch is configured with static routes to accurately forward cross-VLAN or non-local data traffic to the core switch. The core switch centrally handles all routing and data forwarding tasks, thereby enabling communication between VLANs and interconnection between devices within the local area network. Its advantages include: administrators can remotely access the core switch from any access layer switch to centrally manage the configuration of other switches without needing to perform on-site operations on each switch, significantly improving configuration and maintenance efficiency, reducing operational complexity and costs, and supporting flexible wired or wireless connections, making it suitable for various network scenarios.

[0041] In some embodiments, the core switch and each access layer switch are connected via a wireless network or a wired network.

[0042] Understandably, core switches connect to access layer switches via wireless or wired networks (such as fiber optic or twisted-pair cables) to form data transmission channels, enabling various flexible network connection methods to adapt to deployment requirements in different scenarios.

[0043] In some embodiments, the wired network includes fiber optic networks and twisted-pair networks.

[0044] It should be noted that wired networks are connected via fiber optic cables or twisted-pair cables. Fiber optic cables are used for high-speed, long-distance communication, while twisted-pair cables are suitable for short-distance connections, meeting diverse network needs and flexible deployment scenarios.

[0045] In some embodiments, the terminal device includes a desktop computer, a laptop computer, and an all-in-one computer.

[0046] In some embodiments, the switching system further includes access layer switch configuration software. The access layer switch configuration software is built into each terminal device.

[0047] It should be noted that the access layer switch configuration software is built into the terminal device, allowing administrators to directly access and configure the access layer switch through the terminal without the need for additional tools, thereby simplifying the configuration process and improving network management efficiency.

[0048] In some embodiments, the switching system further includes a PING tool. The PING tool is used to test the connectivity between each switch and the core switch, as well as the connectivity between the switches themselves.

[0049] It should be noted that the switch system is equipped with a PING tool to test the network connectivity between each access layer switch and the core switch and other switches, helping to quickly troubleshoot connection problems and verify the correctness of the configuration, thereby improving network deployment and maintenance efficiency.

[0050] In this invention, the switching system combines the management capabilities of the core switch and the flexibility of the access layer switch with the efficiency of static routing and the remote management function of centralized configuration, solving the problems of difficult maintenance and complex configuration in traditional networks. It greatly improves the performance and manageability of the network, while reducing the operation and maintenance costs, making it an efficient and reliable network solution.

[0051] The above technical solution provides a virtual entry point for other devices through a core switch with a specific IP address. Each access layer switch connected to the core switch has a user VLAN configured to communicate with the management VLAN, enabling communication between switches within the local area network. Furthermore, each access layer switch is configured with static routes to the core switch. These static routes allow access layer switches to accurately forward cross-VLAN or non-local data to the core switch. The core switch, as the central device of the network, handles all routing tasks and enables communication between VLANs. When changing switch configurations, the core switch can be accessed from any access layer switch without directly connecting to the physical ports of the switches. Modifying the configuration information of other switches through the core switch greatly improves switch maintenance efficiency and reduces maintenance difficulty and costs.

[0052] The embodiments of this application have now been described in detail. To avoid obscuring the concept of this application, some details known in the art have not been described. Those skilled in the art can fully understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein based on the above description.

[0053] While specific embodiments of this application have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the above examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments or equivalent substitutions can be made to some technical features without departing from the scope and spirit of this application. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the embodiments can be combined in any manner.

Claims

1. A switch system, characterized by The system comprises: a core switch and a plurality of access layer switches; the core switch is connected with each access layer switch; the core switch is configured with a management VLAN having an IP address; each access layer switch is configured with a user VLAN capable of intercommunication with the management VLAN; each access layer switch is configured with a static route capable of routing to the core switch.

2. The switch system of claim 1, wherein, The core switch and each access layer switch are connected through a wireless network or a wired network.

3. The switch system of claim 2, wherein, The wired network comprises a fiber network and a twisted pair network.

4. The switch system of claim 1, wherein, The terminal devices comprise desktop computers, notebook computers and all-in-one computers.

5. The switch system of claim 1, wherein, The system further comprises access layer switch configuration software. The access layer switch configuration software is built in each terminal device.

6. The switch system of claim 1, wherein, The system further comprises a PING tool. The PING tool is used to test the connectivity between each switch and the core switch and the connectivity between each switch.

Images