Method for establishing and / or running a network with multiple network devices with NFC tags

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for establishing and / or running a network with multiple network devices which are connected together and communicate with one another, wherein each network has a storage means at least with configuration data for the function thereof in the network, wherein at least one network device, preferably each network device of the network, has a readable identification means, wherein, during the planning of the network and / or the exchange of a network device in a network that is already running, the configuration data are allocated to the identification means, wherein, after the identification means of the network device have been read, the configuration data of this network device are allocated to the latter upon initial start-up or during the use of a new network device after exchange of a defective network device, wherein the identification means itself does not store the configuration data, but rather configuration data stored thereby are located and retrieved for transmission to the network device.

Description

[0001] Method for creating and / or operating a network with several

[0002] Network devices with NFC tags

[0003] Description

[0004] The invention relates to a method for creating and / or operating a network with several network devices that are interconnected and communicate with each other, according to the features of the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0005] When creating a network, the functions of individual network devices are pre-planned without these functions being configured on the new network devices to be installed. Therefore, there is a need to simplify the process of uploading the configuration to enable the network device's functions once the network is set up with these network devices.

[0006] When operating a network, in the event of a defect in a network device, its replacement and the subsequent replacement of the defective network device with a new network device, there is a need to record the existing configuration of the defective network device and transfer it to the new, not yet configured network device.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a method for creating a network or a method for operating a network with which the configuration of a network device is simplified but at the same time carried out securely.

[0008] The problem is solved by the features of patent claim 1.

[0009] According to the invention, it is provided that at least one network device, preferably each network device, has a readable identification means, wherein during the planning of the network and / or the replacement of a network device in an already operated network, the configuration data are assigned to the identification means, wherein after the identification means of the network device has been read out, its configuration data is assigned to this network device during initial commissioning or when a new network device is used after a defective network device has been replaced, wherein the identification means itself does not store the configuration data, but can be used to locate the configuration data stored at another location (such as an external memory, a network management station or the like) and to call it up for transmission to the network device.After the network device has been identified and called and transferred, the configuration data required for this network device is stored in its memory.

[0010] During initial commissioning, the configuration data can be transferred from a suitable storage medium connected to the new network device. It is also conceivable for the new network device, which already has a basic configuration, to retrieve the configuration data required for the planned network from a network management station or similar device. The same applies to a replaced network device. This can also be connected to a storage medium, from which the configuration data is loaded onto the replaced network device. Alternatively (and possibly additionally), the configuration data from the new network device can be retrieved from a network management station via the network already in operation.

[0011] An NFC tag is particularly suitable as an identification means on the network device. Such an NFC tag, which is arranged in or on the network device, can be accessed by an external device such as a notebook, a smartphone, a tablet, or a similar device. This has the additional advantage that such devices are equipped with memory in which the configuration files to be transferred are saved in advance. After the external device, which is preferably a mobile device, has identified the network device using the NFC tag, the configuration data can be transferred wirelessly or wired from its memory to the network device (either during initial commissioning or after replacement). After this transfer, the network device can accept the received configuration data and begin operation with it.This can be done automatically after the configuration data has been completely transferred or, if necessary, only after a start command.

[0012] The method according to the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 4 and is briefly described as follows.

[0013] Figure 1 shows a network device on the left, specifically a switch equipped with an NFC tag. The right image in Figure 1 shows the switch operating in a network (not shown in more detail), which has standard data lines through which at least two switches—in practice, often a significantly higher number—are connected and exchange data. Wireless data connections can also be considered as a supplement or alternative.

[0014] Figure 2 shows, by way of example, that the identification means of the network device according to Figure 1 can be addressed via a wireless connection (here using NFC) from a notebook or smartphone. The addressed network device is identified by the device (the notebook, smartphone, or similar) using its identification means (here the NFC tag).

[0015] Figure 3 shows the sequence from the planning of a network to the deployment of a new network device equipped with an identification means. This identification means is read using a suitable device, and the configuration data to be transferred to the network device is selected using the read identification data and retrieved from a suitable storage medium. The selected configuration data is then transferred to the network device and stored there in the network device's storage medium.

[0016] Figure 4 shows various applications of the method according to the invention with regard to identification, diagnosis, configuration, automation, security and application of the method to third parties.

Claims

Method for creating and / or operating a network with several Network devices with NFC tags Patent claims 1. A method for creating and / or operating a network with multiple network devices that are interconnected and communicate with each other, each network having a storage means at least with configuration data for its function in the network, characterized in that at least one network device, preferably each network device of the network, has a readable identification means, wherein during the planning of the network and / or the replacement of a network device in an already operated network, the configuration data are assigned to the identification means, wherein after reading the identification means of the network device, its configuration data is assigned to this network device during initial commissioning or when using a new network device after replacing a defective network device, wherein the identification means itself does not store the configuration data,but with this stored configuration data can be found and called up for transfer to the network device.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that an NFC tag is used as identification means on the network device, 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the identification means, in particular an NFC tag, which is in or on the network device is accessed from an external device such as a notebook, a smartphone, a tablet or a similar device.

4. Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the method is applicable to each network device in the network.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, after the external device, preferably the mobile device, has identified the network device by means of the identification means, in particular the NFC tag, the configuration data are transferred wirelessly or wired from its memory to the network device either during initial commissioning or after replacement.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after the transmission of the configuration data, the network device accepts the received configuration data and starts its operation therewith.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the start of operation takes place automatically after complete transmission of the configuration data.

8. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the operation is started only after a start command.

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