Method for coupling means of transport, and computer system and means of transport

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method (100) for coupling means of transport and to a means of transport (10, 20). A message transmitted via a network (1) by a first means of transport (10) to be coupled is received (S2) and the received message is taken as a basis for ascertaining (S3) an identification number (N) assigned to the first means of transport (10) to be coupled. According to the invention, a directory service (2) of a second means of transport (20) to be coupled is initialized (S6) for the purpose of managing addresses of network subscribers (3) of the first means of transport (10) to be coupled on the basis of the ascertained identification number (N).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for coupling means of transport, in particular for coupling rail vehicles, as well as a computer system and a means of transport.

[0002] In the operation of means of transport, especially rail vehicles, various measures are known to increase transport capacity. For example, trains, such as regional or long-distance trains, can be equipped with additional carriages. However, if the drive power of a railcar or locomotive in such a train is insufficient, two trains of the same type can also be coupled together.

[0003] DE 10 2017 205 786 A1 describes a method for configuring at least one device in a network. The network extends across a first rail vehicle and a second rail vehicle coupled to the first rail vehicle. A first server of the first rail vehicle and a second server of the second rail vehicle are arranged in the network. The first server reports its existence in the network. The second server receives the existence report from the first server. A device of the second rail vehicle is configured for communication with at least one specific device of the first rail vehicle using the existence report from the first server.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to improve the coupling of means of transport, in particular to enable more flexible coupling.

[0005] This object is achieved by a method for coupling means of transport, in particular rail vehicles, as well as a computer system and a means of transport according to the independent claims.

[0006] In the method for coupling means of transport, in particular rail vehicles, according to a first aspect of the invention, a message sent by a first means of transport to be coupled via a network is received, and an identification number assigned to the first means of transport to be coupled is determined based on the received message. According to the invention, a directory service of a second means of transport to be coupled is initialized for managing addresses of network participants of the first means of transport to be coupled based on the determined identification number.

[0007] A network participant within the meaning of the invention is preferably a component connected to an on-board network of a means of transport or a functional component of the means of transport. A network participant can, for example, be an actuator such as a door actuator, a sensor such as a camera, a display such as a screen, and / or the like. Multiple network participants can preferably communicate with each other and / or be controlled via the on-board network.

[0008] One aspect of the invention is based on the approach of assigning a unique identification number to each means of transport, for example, trains, which can be used as the basis for communication between network participants of the means of transport. When coupling at least two means of transport, this identification number can then be read or at least derived from a message sent by a first of the at least two means of transport. Using the identification number thus determined, a directory service of a second of the at least two means of transport, for example, a server for name resolution in a network domain (DNS server), can be initialized, for example, in such a way that queries for addresses of the network participants of the first means of transport can be answered using the directory service. This makes it possible to also identify "foreign" means of transport that are unknown to each other, i.e.that have no information regarding the addressing of network participants of the other means of transport. For example, means of transport such as rail vehicles with different platforms or from different projects, from different operators, and / or from different operating areas can be coupled. Such coupling of unrelated means of transport enables, for example, what is known as mixed multiple traction, i.e., the joint propulsion of coupled means of transport of different designs or from different series.

[0009] For example, in order to couple two rail vehicles, i.e. entire trains each with at least one railcar or locomotive and possibly additional wagons, the respective on-board networks of the two rail vehicles are preferably connected to each other. This allows the two rail vehicles to each send a message via the (cross-vehicle) network thus formed, which can be received in the other vehicle and can be read or decoded there, for example. The message preferably contains the unique identification number assigned to the respective sending rail vehicle. These identification numbers can be used to access the directory service of the respective other rail vehicle, i.e.for example, at the DNS server of the other rail vehicle, address queries are made for the addresses of network participants in the on-board network of this rail vehicle, for example if a network participant from one of the two vehicles wants to communicate with one of the network participants from the other of the two vehicles.

[0010] Such address requests from a network participant in an on-board network in one of the rail vehicles are generally first received by the directory service of the same on-board network, which is then supposed to forward them to the directory service of the other vehicle. Therefore, the directory services in both rail vehicles are preferably initialized, i.e., restarted, particularly based on the determined identification number of the other vehicle. This enables the directory services to forward address requests to the other directory service as needed.

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the invention and further developments thereof are described below, which, unless expressly excluded, can be combined with one another as desired and with the aspects of the invention described below.

[0012] According to the invention, before initializing the directory service of the second means of transport to be coupled, a (network) address of a directory service of the first means of transport to be coupled is generated based on the determined identification number. Using this address, the directory service can be addressed in the on-board network of the second means of transport, preferably also in the network formed by the on-board networks of the first and second means of transport. This address is then expediently used as the basis for initializing the directory service of the first means of transport to be coupled, for example, by loading it upon restart. Using this address, it is possible to address the directory service of the first means of transport to be coupled.This enables the directory service of the second transport means to be coupled to reliably forward address requests for addresses of network participants of the first transport means to the directory service of the first transport means to be coupled.

[0013] According to the invention, the address is generated using an address template into which the determined identification number can be inserted.

[0014] 20 In a further preferred embodiment, the (network) address is generated as an IP4 address using an address template into which the determined identification number can be inserted. In other words, the address can be generated using an address template, in particular consisting of several digits, in which a predetermined number of digits is reserved for the determined identification number. It is expedient for the directory services of all interconnectable means of transport, e.g., those combined in an administrative unit, to have addresses that each contain the identification number of the corresponding means of transport. Preferably, all of these addresses differ only with regard to the identification number.As a result, knowledge of the identification number of, for example, a rail vehicle may be sufficient to address the directory service of this rail vehicle in the network and thus determine the addresses of the network participants of this rail vehicle.

[0015] In particular, it is conceivable that a predetermined number of bits is reserved in the address template to represent the identification number. Preferably, 11 bits are reserved, so that 2 11 < = 2048 addresses are available for addressing directory services. In other words, this makes it possible to provide 2048 means of transport or rail vehicles that can easily couple with each other.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment, the (network) address is generated redundantly. This is particularly advantageous if the directory service of the first transport means is also designed redundantly, i.e., if the first transport means has an additional directory service. This allows the connection to be implemented or maintained even if the directory service of the first transport means fails.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment, the (network) address of a directory service of the first transport means to be coupled is read during initialization based on the determined identification number. This ensures that the directory service of the second transport means can quickly and reliably forward address requests from network participants of the second transport means to the directory service of the first transport means.

[0018] Preferably, the address previously generated based on the determined identification number, e.g., as an IP4 address, is stored, for example, in a configuration file. The directory service of the second transport means can then load the generated address from the configuration file, possibly with additional configuration data.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment, the identification number is a maximum of four digits, which in particular lies between 0 and 2049, i.e. corresponds to one of the values 1, 2, 3, ..., 2047, 2048. This allows the identification number to be expressed using 11 bits and, for example, to be included in an IP4 address of the directory service of the first means of transport. This four-digit number, which can preferably be represented by 11 bits, allows the provision and unique identification of 2048 means of transport, e.g. rail vehicles, which can all be coupled together. This is generally more than sufficient to ensure full flexibility with regard to coupling all rail vehicles from several different platforms or from several different projects, since typically no more than 300 vehicles are produced per platform or project.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment, the message sent by the first means of transport to be coupled contains (i) the identification number, (ii) a means of transport number encoding properties of the first means of transport to be coupled, and (iii) a sequence number identifying the position relative to other means of transport to be coupled, in particular to the second means of transport to be coupled. Based on this information, a network participant of the second means of transport, for example, a door controller, can specifically determine the address of a network participant, for example, a door actuator, in one of several other coupled means of transport or address this.

[0021] The means of transport number can, in particular, be a so-called UIC number, which is assigned to the means of transport by the International Union of Railways (Union Internationale des Chemins de fer), e.g., during its manufacture. Using the means of transport number, for example, the type of the means of transport, the country of origin of the means of transport, the series of the means of transport, and / or similar information can be determined. This information can also be taken into account during coupling or at least during communication between network participants in different rail vehicles after coupling, for example, to determine which parameters can be controlled or retrieved by a network participant.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment, a database for addressing network participants of the various means of transport to be coupled is generated based on several messages sent by different means of transport to be coupled. Preferably, the respective identification numbers, means of transport numbers, and / or sequence numbers are linked in this database, for example, in the form of a table. This database can then be used to specifically query the addresses of the network participants of other coupled vehicles.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment, the message sent over the network represents a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) containing the identification number. In addition to the identification number, the Protocol Data Unit can also contain management information for the security layer according to the OSI model. Such a message can easily be sent via multicast, for example.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment, the first transport means to be coupled is assigned to a management unit via the identification number, in which further transport means that can be coupled to the transport means are grouped. If the addresses of the directory services of these transport means each contain 11 bits, for example, to represent the identification number, up to 2048 transport means can be grouped in a management unit, which can also be referred to as a domain. Grouping the transport means into management units via the identification number has the advantage of creating additional address space for addressing the directory services.

[0025] For example, national administrative units may be provided in which at least some of all means of transport from a country of origin are grouped together. Since it is not expected that vehicles from Germany, for example, should or even must be coupled with vehicles in Australia, the same or at least partially overlapping identification numbers can easily be assigned in the corresponding administrative units.

[0026] In a further preferred embodiment, the identification number is part of one of several number bands of the administrative unit, which classify the means of transport grouped in the administrative unit according to whether they are assigned to more than one administrative unit. In other words, an identification number can be used to determine whether the corresponding means of transport can only be coupled with means of transport from the same administrative unit or also with means of transport from different administrative units. This enables coupling across administrative units.

[0027] For example, in a first administrative unit, a first number range consisting of identification numbers from 1 to 1499 can be reserved for means of transport that are not to be coupled with means of transport from another administrative unit. A second number range consisting of identification numbers from 1500 to 2048, however, can be reserved for means of transport that are to be coupled with both the means of transport assigned to the first administrative unit and the means of transport assigned to a second administrative unit. In other words, the means of transport that have identification numbers from the second number range of the first administrative unit correspond to the means of transport that have identification numbers from a number range of the second administrative unit.

[0028] In a further preferred embodiment, the identification number is assigned to the first means of transport to be coupled during its manufacture, in addition to a means of transport number encoding the properties of the first means of transport to be coupled. While the means of transport number, e.g., a UIC number, can have a large number of digits or numbers due to the information encoded in it, it is possible to make the identification number significantly shorter, i.e., with fewer digits or numbers. Thus, the identification number can be used as the basis for IP4 addressing of a directory service without occupying a large number of the available 32 bits.

[0029] To manage the allocation of identification numbers, a centralized identification database can be established, where the identification numbers are continuously recorded, preferably across projects or platforms. This ensures, for example, that each rail vehicle, regardless of its platform, receives a unique identification number and can thus be coupled not only with vehicles manufactured within the same project, but also with vehicles manufactured within other projects.

[0030] In order to complete the data recorded in the identification database, the means of transport numbers, the properties of the respective means of transport and / or the like can also be recorded in the database and linked to the respective identification numbers.

[0031] A computer system for a means of transport, in particular a rail vehicle, according to a second aspect of the invention is preferably configured to carry out the method according to the first aspect of the invention. For this purpose, the computer system can, in particular, comprise a storage means and a directory service for managing addresses of network participants of the means of transport. An identification number of the means of transport is preferably storable or stored in the storage means. The directory service is preferably addressable based on the identification number, e.g., via an on-board network of the means of transport.

[0032] A means of transport, in particular a rail vehicle, according to a third aspect of the invention has a computer system according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0033] The means of transport can, in particular, have a storage medium on which an identification number of the means of transport is stored or storable, an on-board network, and a directory service for managing addresses of network participants of the means of transport. The directory service is preferably addressable based on the identification number. In particular, the identification number, preferably in its binary representation, can be part of a (network) address of the directory service, so that other means of transport can address the directory service based on the identification number, e.g., via a network that includes the on-board network.

[0034] The description of preferred embodiments of the invention given so far contains numerous features, some of which are summarized in several of the individual dependent claims.

[0035] The properties, features, and advantages of the invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, are explained in more detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding elements of the invention. The exemplary embodiments serve to explain the invention and do not limit the invention to the combinations of features specified therein, including with regard to functional features. Furthermore, features of the exemplary embodiments suitable for this purpose can also be explicitly considered in isolation.

[0036] They show, at least partly schematically: FIG 1 shows an example of two means of transport to be coupled together; FIG 2 shows an example of a database generated on the basis of messages sent from four means of transport to be coupled; FIG 3 shows an example of two management units, each of which combines several means of transport that can be coupled together; and FIG 4 shows an example of a method for coupling means of transport.

[0037] FIG 1 shows an example of two means of transport 10, 20 to be coupled to one another, each having an identification number N, an on-board network 4, and a directory service 2 for managing addresses of network participants 3. The identification numbers N can, for example, be stored on a storage medium of a computer system of the respective means of transport 10, 20. The computer systems can each include at least the directory services 2, but preferably also the on-board networks 4.

[0038] In the present example, the means of transport 10, 20 are designed as rail vehicles, in particular as trains, and each comprise two railcars and one wagon. To increase capacity on a route served by one of the two means of transport 10, 20, the two means of transport 10, 20 can be combined, e.g., attached to one another.

[0039] In order to be able to operate the means of transport 10, 20 without restrictions, e.g., in terms of performance or operational safety, it is possible to couple the two means of transport 10, 20. Through the coupling, not only the functional components of the second means of transport 20, referred to as network participants 3, but also the network participants 3 of the first means of transport 10 can be controlled, for example, from a driver's cab of the second means of transport 20. In particular, individual network participants 3 of the second means of transport 20 should be able to communicate with the network participants 3 of the first means of transport 10, at least essentially without restrictions.

[0040] If the two means of transport 10, 20 are from different series, i.e. the first and second means of transport 10, 20 are based on different platforms, then neither of the means of transport 10, 20 knows the addresses of the network participants 3 in the other on-board network 4. In this case, the two on-board networks 4 can be connected to a (common) network 1, but it is not possible for the means of transport 10, 20 to address the network participants 3 in the other means of transport 10, 20.

[0041] The addresses of the network participants 3 are managed in each of the two on-board networks 4 using the respective directory service 2. The directory services 2 can, for example, be DNS servers from which the addresses of the network participants 3 can be queried.

[0042] In order to enable so-called mixed multiple traction, d. h. In order to realize the coupling between two transport means 10, 20 based on different platforms or resulting from two different projects, it is therefore expedient to exchange the addresses of the directory services 2 so that they can be addressed via the network 1. This allows each of the two transport means 10, 20 to communicate with the directory service 2 of the other transport means 10, 20 and to request the addresses, for example, of network participants 3 to be addressed.

[0043] Therefore, each of the two vehicles 10, 20 is preferably configured to send a message via the network 1. These messages can, for example, each be sent from a central data processing device 5 of the means of transport 10, 20, such as from central train servers. These data processing devices 5 are preferably also configured to store the respective identification number N, for example using a corresponding storage medium. Thus, the messages can be generated on the basis of the respective identification number N in such a way that the identification numbers N can be determined in the respective other means of transport 10, 20, for example by the respective data processing device 5, for example by reading the messages or by decoding the messages.

[0044] Preferably, the data processing devices 5 are also configured to generate, based on the determined identification numbers N, an address of the directory service 2 in the respective other means of transport 10, 20, via which address request can be submitted to the respective directory service 2. For this purpose, the determined identification number N of the corresponding means of transport 10, 20 can be used as part of an IP4 address. In other words, an address template can be supplemented with the identification number N of the first or second means of transport 10, 20, so that a complete IP4 address of the directory service 2 of this means of transport 10, 20 is obtained.

[0045] In this case, a predetermined number of bits is preferably reserved in the address template, with which the identification number N of each of the two transport means 10, 20 can be represented in binary form. The address template can, for example, have the following binary form: 10.00nn-nttt-tttt-tttt.dddd-dddd. The letters n represent three bits with which one of eight virtual subnetworks (so-called VLANs) in the respective on-board networks 4 can be addressed. The letters t represent 11 bits, which represent an identification number N from 1 to 2048. The letters d represent eight bits with which 254 different network participants 3 can be addressed.

[0046] The data processing devices 5 are preferably configured to store the addresses generated in this way so that the directory services 2 can access them. Thus, after initialization, e.g., after a restart, the directory services 2 can be configured to communicate with the directory service 2 of the respective other transport means 10, 20 via the network 1.

[0047] For example, the data processing devices 5 can each store the generated addresses in a configuration file that is loaded by the directory services 2 during initialization. If one of the network participants 3, for example of the first transport means 10, now wishes to address a network participant 3 of the second transport means 20, it sends a corresponding address request to the directory service 2 of the first transport means, which forwards the address request using the generated address to the directory service 2 of the second transport means 20. This directory service can resolve the address request and thereby enable communication between the two network participants 3.

[0048] FIG 2 shows an example of a database 6 generated based on messages sent from four means of transport to be coupled. Database 6 contains sequence numbers R, means of transport UIC numbers, and identification numbers N for each of the four means of transport in tabular form. The sequence number R, means of transport UIC number, and identification number N of a means of transport are each linked to each other in a single row.

[0049] The sequence number R indicates the sequence of the means of transport to be coupled within the coupling system. The means of transport number UIC contains coded characteristics of the respective means of transport, for example, its type, country of origin, series, and / or similar. The means of transport number UIC, which is preferably a unique identifier assigned to rail vehicles by the International Union of Railways, can in principle be used for the unique identification of the means of transport in the same way as the identification number N. However, due to its length, it is not suitable as part of the address of a network participant, especially a directory service, in a network of means of transport to be coupled.

[0050] Based on database 6 or the information it contains, the addresses of the directory services of all other means of transport can be determined during a coupling process in order to forward address queries to these directory services. The directory service of the means of transport with the sequence number R "1", the means of transport number UIC "201-007", and the identification number N "45" can forward address queries for addresses of network participants of the other means of transport to the corresponding directory services, for example, with the following IP4 addresses based on the identification numbers N: 10.64.173.2, 10.64.24.2, and 10.64.190.2. In this example, the third digit tuples are formed by the identification numbers, or the identification numbers are used as the third digit tuple.

[0051] FIG 3 shows an example of two administrative units 7, each of which combines several interconnectable means of transport. Each of the administrative units 7 is assigned both means of transport that can only be coupled with other means of transport from the same administrative unit, as well as means of transport that can be coupled with means of transport from both administrative units 7.

[0052] The administrative units 7 can, for example, be present or managed in a database in tabular form.

[0053] In one column, the administrative units contain seven UIC transport codes, which encode the characteristics of the means of transport. In another column, the administrative units contain seven identification numbers (N), which can be used to uniquely identify the means of transport.

[0054] In the example shown, the administrative units 7 contain information on 2048 means of transport, for example, trains, which are assigned the identification numbers N 1 to 2048. These identification numbers N are each linked to a UIC number of the respective means of transport.

[0055] The administrative units 7, also referred to as domains, are preferably identifiable using an identifier 8. The identifier 8 can be used, for example, to distinguish between the administrative units 7 of different operators, countries of origin, and / or the like. In this example, the identifier for one of the administrative units 7 is "smo.de." For example, all Deutsche Bahn trains are grouped together in this administrative unit 7. The identifier of the other administrative unit 7 is "smo.at." For example, all Austrian Federal Railways trains are grouped together in this administrative unit 7.

[0056] The administrative units 7 each have two number bands Na, Nb, in which the identification numbers N are grouped. The first number band Na of each administrative unit 7 contains the identification numbers N of those means of transport that can only be coupled with other means of transport from the same administrative unit 7. For example, the rail vehicles grouped in the administrative unit 7 "smo.de" with the identification numbers N from the first number band Na from 1 to 1499 can only be coupled with other rail vehicles operated by Deutsche Bahn. In contrast, the rail vehicles grouped in the administrative unit 7 "smo.at" with the identification numbers N from the first number band Na from 1 to 1499 can only be coupled with other rail vehicles operated by the Austrian Federal Railways.

[0057] To enable cross-domain coupling, i.e., a so-called mixed multiple traction, one of the number bands Nb in each of the two administrative units 7 is reserved for identification numbers N of means of transport assigned to both administrative units 7. In other words, the number band Nb contains identification numbers N of means of transport that can be coupled with means of transport from both administrative units 7. Such a means of transport should have the same identification number N in both administrative units 7 to ensure distinguishability and uniqueness. For example, the rail vehicles grouped in the administrative unit 7 "smo.de" and the administrative unit 7 "smo.at" with the identification numbers N from the second number band Nb from 1500-2048 can each be coupled with all rail vehicles operated by Deutsche Bahn or the Austrian Federal Railways.

[0058] In other words, in the two administrative units 7, the means of transport with the same identification number N from the first number range Na from 1 to 1499 are each different means of transport, as can be seen from the different UIC means of transport numbers. However, the means of transport with the same identification number N from the second number range Nb from 1500 to 2048 are the same means of transport in both administrative units 7.

[0059] FIG 4 shows an example of a method 100 for coupling means of transport, in particular for coupling rail vehicles.

[0060] When coupling two or more means of transport, for example, two rail vehicles, a (common) network for communication between the two means of transport is preferably provided in a method step S1. For this purpose, the on-board networks of the means of transport can be interconnected, for example. The connection is preferably established at link layer 2 according to the OSI model, so that frames can be transmitted between the on-board networks, each of which forms a network segment or a local network.

[0061] In a further method step S2, messages are sent, preferably cyclically, from each of the transport means involved in the coupling process over the provided network, which can be received by the other transport means. The messages are preferably Protocol Data Units (PDUs), which expediently contain management information from the link layer at which the on-board networks are connected. These PDUs can be sent over the network, for example, via multicast.

[0062] These messages preferably contain, in addition to a means of transport number for the respective sending means of transport, a short, e.g., maximum four-digit, identification number for the means of transport. The means of transport number uniquely identifies the means of transport just like the identification number, but unlike the identification number, it contains means-specific information encoded in the number, such as details on the model, country of origin, series, and / or the like. For this reason, the identification number is shorter than the means of transport number, i.e., it has fewer digits and can therefore be represented, for example, using fewer bits.

[0063] Based on the messages received in process step S2, the identification numbers assigned to the sending transport means are determined in a further process step S3. For example, the messages can be read or, if necessary, decoded.

[0064] In a further method step S4, a database is created in each means of transport in which information on the means of transport to be coupled is stored, preferably in tabular form. For example, the database can store a sequence number, which indicates the position of a means of transport in the coupling system relative to the other means of transport in the coupling system, the means of transport number, and the identification number for each means of transport.

[0065] In a further method step S5, a (network) address of directory services of the other means of transport is generated in each means of transport, preferably based on the database generated in method step S4, in particular based on the determined identification numbers N. The directory services manage the addresses of network participants in the respective on-board network or network segment that are required for communication with these network participants. The network participants are preferably components or functional parts of the means of transport that can be controlled in some way and / or provide data. Network participants can be, for example, actuators such as door actuators, lighting devices, loudspeakers, displays such as information screens or reservation displays, sensors such as cameras, and / or the like.

[0066] Preferably, the addresses are generated such that the identification numbers are part of the respective address. An address can be generated, for example, as an IP4 address, i.e., as a 32-digit binary number, with the identification number preferably representing at least one octet or one byte, i.e., at least one of three digit tuples of the IP4 address. However, in order to address a larger number of directory services, it is expedient for the identification number to also represent at least parts of at least one additional digit tuple, i.e., more than eight bits.

[0067] To generate the address, an address template can be used, into which the identification number, preferably in its binary representation, is inserted. For this purpose, 11 bits in the address template are preferably reserved for the identification number, while the remaining 21 bits are reserved, for example, for the header, for addressing a virtual subnetwork (VLAN) in the respective on-board network, and for addressing one of several redundantly configured directory services, usually two.

[0068] The addresses generated in this way are stored in a storage medium of the respective transport medium, for example in the form of or as part of a configuration file.

[0069] In a further method step S6, the directory services of the transport means are initialized, i.e., restarted, based on the determined identification numbers of the other transport means, in particular based on the generated addresses. For this purpose, the configuration files can be loaded into each of the transport means. This enables the directory services to forward an address query for an address of a network participant in another transport means to the directory service of this transport means, which can answer or resolve the address query. This enables the network participants in all transport means to communicate with each other.

Claims

1. Method (100) for coupling means of transport, in particular rail vehicles, wherein a message sent by way of a network (1) by a first means of transport (10) to be coupled is received (S2) and an identification number (N) assigned to the first means of transport (10) to be coupled is determined (S3) on the basis of the received message, characterised in that a directory service (2) of a second means of transport (20) to be coupled is initialised (S6) in order to determine addresses of network subscribers (3) of the first means of transport (10) to be coupled on the basis of the determined identification number (N), prior to initialisation (S6) of the directory service (2) of the second means of transport (20) to be coupled, an address of a directory service (2) of the first means of transport (10) to be coupled is generated (S5) on the basis of the determined identification number (N) and the address is generated with the aid of an address template, in which the determined identification number (N) can be used.

2. Method (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the address is generated as an IP4 address with the aid of an address template, in which the determined identification number (N) can be used.

3. Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the address is generated redundantly.

4. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that upon initialisation (S6) an address of a directory service (2) of the first means of transport (10) to be coupled is read in on the basis of the determined identification number (N).

5. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the identification number (N) is at most a four-digit number which lies between 0 and 2049.

6. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the message sent by the first means of transport (10) to be coupled contains the identification number (N), a means of transport number (UIC), in which properties of the first means of transport (10) to be coupled are encoded, and a series number (R) which identifies the position relative to other means of transport (20) to be coupled.

7. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a database (6) for addressing network subscribers (3) of the various means of transport (10, 20) to be coupled is generated on the basis of a number of messages, which are sent by various means of transport (10, 20) to be coupled.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the message sent by way of the network represents a protocol data unit, which contains the identification number (N).

9. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first means of transport (10) to be coupled is assigned to a management unit (7) by way of the identification number (N), in which management unit (7) further means of transport (20) which can be coupled to the means of transport (10) are combined.

10. Method (100) according to claim 9, characterised in that the identification number (N) is part of one of several number bands (Na, Nb) of the management unit (7), which classify the means of transport (10, 20) combined in the management unit (7) to determine whether they are assigned to more than one management unit (7).

11. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the identification number (N) is assigned to the first means of transport (10) to be coupled in addition to a means of transport number (UIC), in which properties of the first means of transport (10) to be coupled are encoded, during its production.

12. Computer system for a means of transport (10, 20), in particular rail vehicle, with a storage means and a directory service (2) for managing addresses of network subscribers (3) of the means of transport (10, 20), characterised in that an identification number (N) of the means of transport (10, 20) can be stored in the storage means and the directory service (2) can be addressed on the basis of the identification number (N) by way of an onboard network (4) of the means of transport (10, 20), prior to an initialisation (S6) of the directory service (2) of the second means of transport (20) to be coupled an address of a directory service (2) of the first means of transport (10) to be coupled is generated (S5) on the basis of the determined identification number (N) and the address is generated as an IP4 address with the aid of an address template in which the determined identification number (N) can be used.

13. Means of transport (10, 20), in particular rail vehicle, with a computer system according to claim 12.

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