Repeater, communication system, and operation method for communication system, and program

Abstract

To provide a repeater, a communication system, a method of operating the communication system, and a program that allow the mixing of topology information generated by different methods and contribute to mutual utilization of the information.SOLUTION: A repeater or the like includes a detection unit that detects connection and disconnection of a communication device, a communication device information acquisition unit that acquires communication device information which is information relating to the communication device for each communication device in response to detection by the detection unit, a storage unit that stores communication device configuration information which is information generated on the basis of the communication device information and is information relating to the configuration of the communication device within a communication network, and a transmission unit that transmits the communication device configuration information to other communication devices.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This apparatus and system relate to grasping and visualizing reliable communication network configuration information.

Background Art

[0002] With the spread of wireless LAN (Local Area Network), the number of elements constituting a network such as terminals and access points has increased, and there is a growing demand to grasp and visualize the topology configuration information, which is the configuration and relationship of these elements in a communication network. In recent years, the number of wireless LAN access point devices introducing new mesh technology has been increasing, which has further fueled such growing demand.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Note that each disclosure of the above prior art documents is incorporated herein by reference. The following analysis was made by the inventors of the present invention.

[0005] On the other hand, the function of displaying a topology diagram visualizing the topology information of a communication network has different algorithms for each vendor providing a software development kit (SDK), and the algorithms are often black boxes. Therefore, in combinations of access point devices from different vendors, the information in the topology diagram may be partially incorrect, or information on all devices on the network may not be obtainable, resulting in incomplete information as a topology diagram in some cases.

[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanism that enables visualization of a network configuration even in the case of the above-described incomplete information (when the connection relationship of communication devices is unknown or in a multi-vendor environment). However, even in the technology of Patent Document 1, the topology determination method is composed of an original algorithm, and unless the method is widely used due to being adopted in standardization or the like, the situation where topology information generated by different methods of different vendors is mixed will not change.

[0007] Therefore, in one aspect of the present invention, there are provided a relay device, a communication system, an operation method of the communication system, and a program that allow mixing of topology information generated by different methods and contribute to mutual utilization.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a relay device including a detection unit that detects connection and disconnection of communication devices, a communication device information acquisition unit that acquires communication device information, which is information regarding the communication devices, for each communication device in response to detection by the detection unit, a holding unit that holds communication device configuration information, which is information generated based on the communication device information and is information regarding the configuration of communication devices in a communication network, and a transmission unit that transmits the communication device configuration information to other communication devices.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a relay device including: a communication device; a detection unit that detects connection and disconnection of the communication device; a communication device information acquisition unit that acquires communication device information, which is information about the communication device, for each communication device in response to detection by the detection unit; a holding unit that holds communication device configuration information, which is information generated based on the communication device information and is information about the configuration of communication devices in a communication network; and a transmission unit that transmits the communication device configuration information to other communication devices, and a master device including: a reception unit that receives the communication device configuration information transmitted from the transmission unit of the relay device; and a storage unit that stores the communication device configuration information, wherein the storage unit updates the communication device configuration information stored in the storage unit in response to reception of the communication device configuration information by the reception unit.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a communication system including: a step in which a first computer detects connection and disconnection of a communication device; a step in which the first computer acquires communication device information, which is information about the communication device, for each communication device in response to the detection; a step in which the first computer acquires communication device configuration information, which is information generated based on the communication device information and is information about the configuration of communication devices in a communication network; a step in which the first computer transmits the communication device configuration information to a second computer; a step in which the second computer receives the communication device configuration information transmitted from the first computer; a step in which the second computer stores the communication device configuration information; and a step in which the second computer updates the stored communication device configuration information in response to reception of the communication device configuration information.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute: a process of detecting connection and disconnection of a communication device; a process of acquiring, for each communication device, communication device information which is information regarding the communication device in response to the detection; a process of acquiring communication device configuration information which is information generated based on the communication device information and which is information regarding the configuration of communication devices in a communication network; and a process of transmitting the communication device configuration information to other communication devices; a first processing module; a process of receiving the communication device configuration information transmitted by the first processing module; a process of storing the communication device configuration information; and a process of updating the stored communication device configuration information in response to the reception of the communication device configuration information; and a second processing module.

[0012] Note that this program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transient one such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, etc. The present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to each aspect of the present invention, there are provided a relay device, a communication system, a method for operating the communication system, and a program which allow a mixture of topology information generated in different ways and contribute to mutual utilization thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] First, an overview of one embodiment will be described. The drawing reference numerals appended to this overview are for convenience and are appended to each element as an example to assist understanding, and the description of this overview is not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the relay device in one embodiment. The relay device 01 in one embodiment includes a detection unit 02, a communication device information acquisition unit 03, a holding unit 04, and a transmission unit 05.

[0017] The detection unit 02 detects the connection and disconnection of communication devices. The communication device information acquisition unit 03 acquires communication device information, which is information about the communication device, for each communication device according to the detection by the detection unit 02. The holding unit 04 holds communication device configuration information, which is information generated based on the communication device information and related to the configuration of communication devices in the communication network. The transmission unit 05 transmits the communication device configuration information to other communication devices.

[0018] The relay device 01 in the above embodiment detects the connection and disconnection of communication devices and acquires the communication device information of the detected communication devices. The acquired communication device information is compared with the communication device information in the communication device configuration information held by the holding unit 04. According to the result of the comparison, the data in the holding unit 04 is updated, and the configuration information of the communication devices under the relay device 01 becomes referable.

[0019] The retrievable communication device configuration information is transmitted by the transmission unit 05 to the master unit or to other relay devices directly or indirectly connected to the master unit.

[0020] Thus, in the relay device of one embodiment, by acquiring the latest communication device configuration information and transmitting it to the upper-level master unit or relay device, the communication device configuration information of the entire communication network to which the relay device belongs is aggregated and updated, so that the latest state can be maintained and highly reliable communication device configuration information can be obtained.

[0021] Specific embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0022] [First Embodiment] [Schematic of the Device] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the network configuration information included in the relay device of this embodiment. An access point AP01 corresponding to the relay device of this embodiment is connected to a smartphone DEV001 which is a terminal and a notebook computer DEV002. The access point AP01 is further connected via a communication network to a communication device such as a higher-level relay device or a master unit.

[0023] The access point AP01 is also connected to an access point AP001 which is a lower-level relay device. The access point AP001 is connected to a personal computer DEV0001 which is a terminal.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the communication device configuration information held by the relay device 01 (access point AP01) of this embodiment. The network configuration information in FIG. 2 is shown as the communication device configuration information. This communication device configuration information is composed of the communication device information described in each row. The communication device information describes the own MAC address and the child MAC, and further the connection mode is added. This "connection mode" consists of information for specifying the frequency band in the case of wireless or wired.

[0025] When the relay device 01 detects the connection or disconnection of a communication device, communication device information is added to or deleted from this communication device configuration information. Then, according to the addition or deletion, the communication device configuration information is transmitted to a higher-level relay device or a parent device.

[0026] [Configuration of the device] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the relay device 01 of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the relay device 01 of this embodiment includes a detection unit 02, a communication device information acquisition unit 03, a holding unit 04, a transmission unit 05, and an update unit 06.

[0027] The detection unit 02 detects the connection and disconnection of communication devices. A "communication device" refers to a device that has a network interface and can be identified by a MAC address (Media Access Control address), and includes, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, etc. Also, lower-level relay devices (access points, etc.) connected to the relay device 01 are also included in communication devices. The detection of connection and disconnection may be performed, for example, by detecting packets such as DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Discovery, Request, and Release.

[0028] The communication device information acquisition unit 03 acquires communication device information, which is information about the communication device, for each communication device according to the detection by the detection unit 02. "Communication device information" basically refers to the information indicated by each row of the communication device configuration information shown in FIG. 3. That is, the communication device information of the smartphone DEV001 includes at least the MAC address of the smartphone DEV001 as the "child MAC address" and wireless (2.4 GHz) as the "connection mode". Further, the MAC address, which is the identification number of the access point AP01 (relay device 01) to which the smartphone DEV001 is connected, is associated with the above and regarded as the "own MAC address". The acquisition is performed when the corresponding detection unit 02 detects the connection and disconnection of the communication device, and the "child MAC address", "connection mode", and "own MAC address" of the communication device related to the connection or disconnection are acquired. The acquired communication device information is sent to the update unit 06.

[0029] The holding unit 04 holds communication device configuration information, which is information generated based on the communication device information and relates to the configuration of communication devices in the communication network. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication device information acquired by the communication device information acquisition unit 03 is aggregated and stored in the storage area in the relay device 01 as the communication device configuration information.

[0030] The update unit 06 updates the communication device configuration information held by the holding unit 04 according to the acquisition by the communication device information acquisition unit 03. Specifically, when the connection of a communication device is detected by the detection unit 02, it is determined whether the identification number of the communication device included in the communication device information acquired by the communication device information acquisition unit 03 according to the detection exists in the communication device configuration information held by the holding unit 04. If the determination result is that it does not exist, the communication device information related to the acquired identification number of the communication device is added to the communication device configuration information.

[0031] When the detection unit 02 detects the disconnection of the communication device, it is determined whether the identification number of the communication device included in the communication device information acquired by the communication device information acquisition unit 03 in response to the detection exists in the communication device configuration information held by the holding unit 04. If the determination result is that it exists, the communication device information related to the acquired identification number of the communication device is deleted from the communication device configuration information.

[0032] The transmission unit 05 transmits the communication device configuration information to another communication device. The communication device configuration information held by the holding unit 04 is transmitted to another relay device (access point) by wire or wirelessly via the communication network. The other relay devices include so-called wireless parent devices. The transmission timing may be performed at least in response to the update of the communication device configuration information by the update unit 06.

[0033] [Flow of processing] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the relay device according to the present embodiment. The relay device first detects whether it has detected the connection and disconnection of the communication device (step S01). If not detected (step S01, N), it continues to wait for detection. If either connection or disconnection is detected (step S01, Y), the communication device information, which is information about the communication device, is acquired for each communication device in response to the detection (step S02). In response to the acquisition, the communication device configuration information held in the storage area is updated (step S03). When the update is completed, the communication device configuration information is transmitted to another communication device (step S04) and the process ends.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the update process of the communication device configuration information in the relay device of the present embodiment. It is a flowchart for explaining step S03 in FIG. 5 in more detail. First, it is determined whether the detected event is a connection or a disconnection of the communication device. That is, it is determined whether the connection of the communication device has been detected (step S001). If a connection is detected (step S001, Y), it is determined whether the identification number included in the acquired communication device information exists in the communication device configuration information (step S002). As a result of the determination, if it exists (step S002, Y), the process returns to the beginning without doing anything. If it does not exist (step S002, N), the acquired communication device information is added to the communication device configuration information held in the storage area (step S003).

[0035] On the other hand, if the detected event is not a connection of the communication device (step S001, N), it is determined whether the disconnection of the communication device has been detected (step S004). If a disconnection is not detected (step S004, N), the process returns to the beginning without doing anything. If a disconnection is detected (step S004, Y), it is further determined whether the identification number included in the acquired communication device information exists in the communication device configuration information (step S005). As a result of the determination, if it does not exist (step S005, N), the process returns to the beginning without doing anything. On the other hand, if it exists (step S005, Y), the communication device information related to the identification number is deleted from the communication device configuration information (step S006).

[0036] [Hardware Configuration] Next, the hardware configuration of various devices constituting the relay device according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the relay device 01 according to the first embodiment.

[0037] The relay device 01 can be configured by an information processing apparatus (computer) and has a configuration exemplified in FIG. 7. For example, the relay device 01 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a memory 002, an input / output interface 003, and a wireless communication module 004 which is a communication means, etc., that are interconnected by an internal bus 005. Note that the connection to a communication device is not limited to wireless communication, so in addition to the wireless communication module 004, a NIC (Network Interface Card) may be provided.

[0038] However, the configuration shown in FIG. 7 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the relay device 01. The relay device 01 may include hardware not shown, or may not be provided with the input / output interface 003 as necessary. Also, the number of CPUs etc. included in the relay device 01 is not intended to be limited to the example in FIG. 7, and for example, a plurality of CPUs may be included in the relay device 01.

[0039] The memory 002 is a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and an auxiliary storage device (hard disk, etc.).

[0040] The input / output interface 003 is a means that serves as an interface for a display device and an input device not shown. The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display, etc. The input device is, for example, a device that accepts user operations such as a keyboard and a mouse.

[0041] The functions of the relay device 01 are realized by a detection program which is a processing module, a communication device information acquisition program, a transmission program, an update program, etc., and communication device configuration information data held in the memory 002. The said processing module is realized, for example, by the CPU 001 executing a program stored in the memory 002. Also, the program can be downloaded via a network or updated using a storage medium storing the program. Further, the said processing module may be realized by a semiconductor chip. That is, any means for executing the functions performed by the said processing module using some hardware and / or software may be sufficient.

[0042] [Operation of Hardware] When the relay device 01 starts processing, the detection program is called from the memory 002 and becomes an execution state in the CPU 001. The program waits in a state of waiting for connection and disconnection of communication devices.

[0043] When connection and disconnection of a communication device occur, the detection program receives a connection and disconnection request from the communication device via the wireless communication module 004. The request contains a MAC address as an identification number and information associated therewith, and this information is used to identify the communication device to be connected and disconnected.

[0044] Next, the communication device information acquisition program is called from the memory 002 and becomes an execution state in the CPU 001. When the program detects connection of a communication device, it acquires communication device information from the said communication device via the wireless communication module 004. Also, when it detects disconnection, it searches the communication device configuration information using the identification number specified by the detection program as a key and acquires the corresponding communication device information.

[0045] Next, the update program is called from the memory 002 and becomes an execution state in the CPU 001. The program executes the processing described in FIGS. 5 and 6 in the CPU 001 to update the communication device configuration information data held in the memory 002.

[0046] Next, the transmission program is called from memory 002 and becomes in an execution state on CPU 001. This program transmits all or part of the communication device configuration information to other communication devices via the wireless communication module 004.

[0047] [Description of Effects] The relay machine 01 of this embodiment can update the communication device configuration information that describes the network topology by detecting the connection and disconnection of communication devices and acquiring the communication device information of these communication devices. Thereby, the network topology can be specified within the range connected to the relay machine 01. The relay machine 01 can transmit the information to other communication devices, and it is possible to specify the topology information in the communication network to which the relay machine 01 belongs by aggregating the transmitted communication device configuration information.

[0048] [Second Embodiment] In this embodiment, in addition to the relay machine, the configuration and operation of a communication system including a terminal and a master machine will be described.

[0049] [Outline of System] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of the communication system of this embodiment. It is composed of a terminal indicated by "DEV..." and a relay machine indicated by "AP...", and a master machine indicated by "AP1". FIG. 9(a) shows the configuration of the communication devices in FIG. 8 as communication device configuration information. That is, it is the communication device configuration information generated on the master machine AP1.

[0050] FIG. 9(b) is an example of another communication device configuration information generated on the master machine AP1. The other communication device configuration information is generated by a method different from the communication device configuration information according to FIG. 9(a). Therefore, for example, the detection of the terminal DEV001 has failed. Also, for the terminal DEV0001, the connection mode is different from that in FIG. 9(a) and may be incorrect.

[0051] In the communication system of this embodiment, by aggregating the communication device configuration information obtained by the generation method described in the above embodiment in the master device AP1, communication device configuration information indicating the topology of the entire network to which each communication device belongs is generated, and by synchronizing with the communication device configuration information generated by another method as shown in FIG. 9(b), it is possible to complement the communication device configuration information generated by another method.

[0052] [Configuration of the System] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication system of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the communication system of this embodiment includes a relay device 01, terminals 11a - 11c, and a master device 21. The relay device 01 has a detection unit 02, a communication device information acquisition unit 03, a holding unit 04, a transmission unit 05, and an update unit 06. The master device 21 has a reception unit 22, an accumulation unit 23, a synchronization unit 24, a drawing unit 25, and a drawing request reception unit 26. Terminal 11a is connected to the relay device 01 by a wired connection. Terminals 11b and 11c are connected to the relay device 01 by a wireless connection. Note that these connection modes are examples, and the number of terminals is not limited to three.

[0053] Terminals 11a to 11c have a communication interface such as a PC or a smartphone and can communicate with communication devices in the network including the relay device 01.

[0054] Since the detection unit 02, the communication device information acquisition unit 03, the holding unit 04, the transmission unit 05, and the update unit 06, which are the constituent elements of the relay device 01, have been described in the above embodiment, the description is omitted.

[0055] The master device 21 is connected to the relay device 01 wirelessly or by wire. At least one master device 21 exists in the network and is connected to other communication devices such as a router.

[0056] The receiving unit 22 receives the communication device configuration information transmitted from the transmitting unit 05 of the relay device 01. As described above, the communication device configuration information is transmitted at the timing when the update unit 06 of the relay device 01 updates the communication device configuration information. At the master device 21, the receiving unit 22 receives it and sends it to the storage unit 23.

[0057] The storage unit 23 stores the communication device configuration information. It receives the communication device configuration information received by the receiving unit 22 and stores it in the storage area of the master device 21. Also, the storage unit 23 updates the communication device configuration information stored in the storage unit 23 in response to the reception of the communication device configuration information by the receiving unit 22. The update procedure is to determine whether the communication device information included in the communication device configuration information received by the receiving unit 22 exists in the communication device configuration information stored in the storage unit 23. If it exists, the communication device information related to the identification number included in the communication device configuration information stored in the storage unit 23 is deleted, and regardless of whether it exists or not, all the communication device information included in the received communication device configuration information is added to the communication device configuration information stored in the storage unit 23.

[0058] By adopting the above update method, it is possible to update the communication device configuration information without omission. Also, when there is duplicate communication device information in the communication device configuration information, it is possible to remove the duplicates at the update timing.

[0059] The synchronization unit 24 adds, updates, or deletes communication device information based on the stored communication device configuration information for another communication device configuration information, which is information regarding the configuration of communication devices in the same communication network and is different from the stored communication device configuration information. Examples of the other communication device configuration information include, for example, information generated by the master device in a vendor-dependent manner for topology information.

[0060] The synchronization method performs synchronization, for example, by the storage unit 23 in response to the update of the communication device configuration information. Specifically, first, from the perspective of the updated communication device configuration information, it is determined whether there is communication device information that is a record to be synchronized in another communication device configuration information. The determination method is to determine whether the self-MAC address of each communication device information, which is an element of the updated communication device configuration information, exists in another communication device configuration information. If it does not exist, the communication device information is added to another communication device configuration information. Next, when the self-MAC address exists, it is further determined whether the child MAC address matches. If they do not match, the communication device information is added to another communication device configuration information. Next, when both the self-MAC address and the child MAC address match and only the connection mode is different (for example, in the case of DEV0001 in FIGS. 9(a) and (b)), the communication device information (or the connection mode) is overwritten in another communication device configuration information.

[0061] Next, from the perspective of another communication device configuration information, it is determined whether there is communication device information that is a record to be synchronized in the updated communication device configuration information. The determination method is to determine whether the self-MAC address of each communication device information, which is an element of another communication device configuration information, exists in the updated communication device configuration information. If it does not exist, the communication device information is deleted from another communication device configuration information. Next, when the self-MAC address exists, it is further determined whether the child MAC address matches. If they do not match, the communication device information is deleted from another communication device configuration information (for example, in the case of DEV0004 in FIG. 9(b)).

[0062] The drawing unit 25 visualizes and draws the configuration of communication devices in a communication network included in other communication device configuration information based on the other communication device configuration information. The drawing unit 25 performs drawing in response to a drawing request received by the drawing request reception unit 26 that receives a drawing request for the drawing by the drawing unit 25. For example, if the master device 21 is a product of a certain vendor and has a function of visualizing the network topology, the part having that function corresponds to the drawing unit 25. The drawing request reception unit 26 receives a drawing request via the network from a terminal or the like, or via the input / output interface of the master device 21. In response to the drawing request, the drawing unit 25 generates a network topology diagram based on other communication device configuration information. As an example of the network topology, as shown in FIG. 8, it visualizes and displays the arrangement and interrelationship of terminals, access points which are relay devices, and the master device on the network. Additionally, it may also display supplementary information such as IP addresses.

[0063] For example, when the drawing function of the master device 21 is vendor-dependent and difficult to replace, at least grasp the data structure of other communication device configuration information, update other communication device configuration information based on the communication device configuration information generated in the above embodiment, and it is possible in the communication system of this embodiment to generate a network topology diagram by the drawing unit 25 of the master device 21.

[0064] [System Operation] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation flow of the communication system of this embodiment. The processing on the relay device side (step S01 - step S04) has already been described in the above embodiment, so the description is omitted. Here, the processing of the master device 21 after the step (step S04) where the relay device transmits the communication device configuration information to the master device 21 (the dotted line part) will be described. When the master device 21 receives the communication device configuration information (step S05), it updates the communication device configuration information (step S06). When the update is completed, it synchronizes with other communication device configuration information (step S07). Then, it receives a drawing request from a terminal or the like and executes drawing (step S08).

[0065] [Hardware Configuration] Next, the hardware configuration of various devices constituting the communication system according to the second embodiment will be described. Since the relay device 01 has already been described in the above embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. Here, the hardware configuration and operation of the master device 21, which is an element of the communication system, will be described.

[0066] Similar to the relay device 01, the master device 21 can be configured by an information processing device (computer) and has a configuration similar to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7. In addition, matters related to the hardware configuration and the like of the master device shall be handled in the same manner as those described in the above embodiment.

[0067] The functions of the relay device 01 are realized by a reception program, which is a processing module, a storage program, a synchronization program, a drawing program, a drawing request reception unit, etc., communication device configuration information data held in the memory 002, and other communication device configuration information data.

[0068] [Operation of Hardware] When the master device 21 starts processing, the reception program is called from the memory 002 and is in an execution state by the CPU 001, and waits for the communication device configuration information transmitted from the relay device 01. When the communication device configuration information is received via the wireless communication module 004 or a NIC (not shown), the storage program is called from the memory 002 and becomes an execution state by the CPU 001. This program updates the existing communication device configuration information stored on the memory 002 using the received communication device configuration information.

[0069] Next, the synchronization program is called from the memory 002 in response to the update and is executed by the CPU 001. This program compares the updated communication device configuration information with other communication device configuration information stored in the memory 002 and performs synchronization processing. The processing performed on the CPU 001 is as already described.

[0070] After the concurrent processing is completed, a drawing request reception program that has been called from memory 002 and is in an execution state on CPU 001 receives a drawing request from a terminal or the like. When a drawing request is received, the program calls the drawing program stored in memory 002 with the activation of the drawing program as a trigger to CPU 001. The program reads other communication device configuration information stored in memory 002 and uses this to generate an image of the network topology diagram.

[0071] The generated image data is displayed on the liquid crystal display which is the input / output interface of the master unit 21, or is transmitted to a terminal or the like via the NIC or the wireless communication module 004 and is displayed on the terminal or the like.

[0072] [Description of Effects] With the communication system of this embodiment, it is possible to execute a process of receiving communication device configuration information updated from the relay device 01, comparing it with the communication device configuration information in the master unit, and updating the information. The updated communication device configuration information is updated by synchronizing with other communication device configuration information, and it is possible to generate the latest network topology diagram in the drawing program. Even if the drawing program is an existing one and is vendor-dependent, it is possible to utilize the program. In this way, the communication system of this embodiment allows the coexistence of communication device configuration information which is topology information generated in different ways and contributes to their mutual utilization.

[0073] [Examples] The following describes, as an example, the configuration and operation of the communication system when implementing the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[0074] [Configuration of the Example] Referring to FIG. 12, the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention is composed of a wireless LAN access point master unit 100 (hereinafter referred to as the master unit 100) connected to the Internet 140, a wireless LAN access point repeater 110 (hereinafter referred to as the repeater 110), and wireless terminals 120 (120a, 120b ···) that can be wirelessly connected to the master unit 100 and the repeater 110.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 13, the master unit 100 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, a network communication unit 103, and an input / output unit 104.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 14, the repeater 110 includes a control unit 111, a storage unit 112, a network communication unit 113, and an input / output unit 114.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the control units 101 and 111 are composed of a wireless control unit 101a and 111a that detect connection and disconnection of wireless communication and perform communication management such as wireless connection, and a display processing unit 101b that controls and manages drawing of a topology diagram.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 15, the storage unit 102 has a configuration including a master unit configuration information 200 which is a table having information on its own MAC address 201, a child MAC address 202, and an attribution type 203 of wired or wireless (if wireless, indicating a frequency band).

[0079] Referring to FIG. 16, the storage unit 112 has a configuration including a slave unit configuration information 300 which is a table having information on its own MAC address 301, a child MAC address 302, and an attribution type 303 of wired or wireless (if wireless, indicating a frequency band).

[0080] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the network communication units 103 and 113 are units that transmit and receive Data Frames between the wirelessly connected wireless LAN access point master unit and repeater, and between the wireless terminal 120.

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the input / output units 104 and 114 are, for example, a Web server or the like, and are units capable of outputting the information of the topology diagram in an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) response.

[0082] [Operation of the Embodiment] Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 17, 18, 19(a), (b), and 20, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. First, it is assumed that the wireless terminal 120 has wirelessly affiliated or disconnected from the relay machine 110.

[0083] In the wireless control unit 111a of the relay machine 110, when detecting a wireless connection or disconnection with the wireless terminal 120, a sub-configuration information update process is performed. Referring to FIG. 17, in the sub-configuration information update process, the MAC address of the terminal that detected the wireless connection or disconnection is acquired (S10), and it is determined whether there is a corresponding MAC address in the sub-MAC address 302 of the sub-configuration information 300 held in the storage unit 112 (S11).

[0084] In the case of a wireless connection, if there is no corresponding MAC address, the MAC address of the terminal that detected the wireless affiliation is registered in the sub-MAC address 302 of the sub-configuration information 300, and the type of affiliation (that is, information on whether it is "wired" or "wireless", and if "wireless", whether the frequency band is "2.4 GHz" or "5 GHz") is registered in the affiliation type 303 (S12, S13). The MAC address of the relay machine 110 is registered in the self-MAC address 301. If there is a corresponding MAC address, do nothing. In the case where it is not a wireless connection (that is, in the case of a wireless disconnection), if there is a corresponding MAC address, the data in the sub-configuration information 300 is deleted (S14, S15). If there is no corresponding MAC address, do nothing.

[0085] Note that the child device configuration information 300 shall also include the information of the relay device 110 itself. That is, the self MAC address 301 shall hold the MAC address of the parent device or relay device to which the relay device 110 is connected, the child MAC address 302 shall hold the MAC address of the relay device 110 itself, and the belonging type 303 shall hold the type of belonging to the parent device or relay device to which the relay device 110 is connected in the relevant data of the child device configuration information 300.

[0086] Next, when the wireless control unit 111a of the relay device detects wireless belonging to the parent device 100, it performs child device configuration information update notification processing. In the child device configuration information update notification processing, the child device configuration information 300 held in the storage unit 112 of the relay device 110 is transmitted to the parent device 100 as "child device configuration information update notification".

[0087] Referring to FIG. 18, the parent device 100 that has received the "child device configuration information update notification" performs parent device configuration information update processing. That is, it compares the self MAC address 201 included in the parent device configuration information 200 held in the storage unit 102 with the self MAC address 301 of the child device configuration information 300, and performs matching by comparing the child MAC address 202 included in the parent device configuration information 200 with the child MAC address 302 of the child device configuration information 300 (S21). As a result of the matching, if there is data including the relevant MAC address in the parent device configuration information 200, the data is deleted (S23), and matching is performed for the next data.

[0088] As a result of the matching, if there is no data including the relevant MAC address in the parent device configuration information 200, the child MAC address 302 of the child device configuration information 300 is set as the child MAC address 202 of the parent device configuration information 200, and the information of the belonging type 303 of the child device configuration information 300 is added as the belonging type 203 of the parent device configuration information 200. Also, the self MAC address 301 of the child device configuration information 300 is registered as the self MAC address 201 of the parent device configuration information 200 (S24).

[0089] When the parent device configuration information update process is completed, the parent device 100 transmits a "Child Device Configuration Information Update Response" to the relay device 110. The "Child Device Configuration Information Update Response" includes a flag indicating whether the process was successful.

[0090] Next, the relay device 110 that has received the "Child Device Configuration Information Update Response" notifies the user of information indicating whether the child device configuration information update was successful or failed. The notification method is not limited, but for example, when accessing the WebGUI of the relay device 110, it can be displayed as information, or when the relay device 110 has an LED lamp as the input / output unit 114, it can be notified as the LED state indicating the result of the child device configuration information update.

[0091] Next, assume that there is a drawing process request (in HTTP format) from the wireless terminal 120 to the parent device 100. When the wireless control unit 101a of the parent device 100 detects the drawing process request from the wireless terminal 120, it first performs a database comparison process.

[0092] In the database comparison process, the data of the parent device configuration information 200 and the vendor configuration information is matched. Referring to FIGS. 19(a) and (b), first, using the self MAC address 201 of the parent device configuration information 200 as a key, it is determined whether there is a corresponding self MAC address in the vendor configuration information (S30, S31). If there is no corresponding self MAC address, it is set as "mismatch (awaiting attribution)" and this process ends.

[0093] If there is a corresponding self MAC address, next, using the child MAC address 202 of the parent device configuration information 200 as a key, it is determined whether there is a corresponding child MAC address in the vendor configuration information (S32, S33). If there is no corresponding child MAC address, it is set as "mismatch (awaiting attribution)" and this process ends.

[0094] If there is a corresponding child MAC address, then, using the attribution type 203 of the parent device configuration information 200 as a key, it is determined whether the data of the corresponding attribution type in the vendor configuration information is equal (S34, S35). If the corresponding attribution types are not equal, this process ends with "mismatch (attribution type mismatch)".

[0095] If the corresponding attribution types are equal, then matching is similarly performed using the data of the child MAC address 202 of the next parent device configuration information 200 as a key. If there is no data (EOF), then matching is similarly performed using the data of the self MAC address 201 of the next parent device configuration information 200 as a key. If there is no data (EOF (End Of File)), proceed to the next process.

[0096] That is, using the self MAC address of the vendor configuration information as a key, it is determined whether there is a corresponding self MAC address 201 in the parent device configuration information 200 (S36, S37). If there is no corresponding self MAC address, this process ends with "mismatch (awaiting attribution cut-off)". If there is a corresponding self MAC address, then, using the child MAC address of the vendor configuration information as a key, it is determined whether there is a corresponding child MAC address 202 in the parent device configuration information 200 (S38, S39). If there is no corresponding child MAC address, this process ends with "mismatch (awaiting attribution cut-off)".

[0097] If there is a corresponding child MAC address, then matching is similarly performed using the data of the child MAC address of the next vendor configuration information as a key. If there is no data (EOF), then matching is similarly performed using the data of the self MAC address of the next vendor configuration information as a key. If there is no data (EOF), this process ends with "match".

[0098] Finally, in the input / output unit 104 of the master device 100, drawing processing is performed using the vendor configuration information, and data of the topology diagram is generated as response data in the HTTP format. At this time, if any of the cases of "mismatch (awaiting attribution)", "mismatch (awaiting attribution expiration)", or "mismatch (attribution type mismatch)" is detected from the result of the database comparison process, information indicating the mismatch is added to the response data. For example, there is a method of indicating the mismatch (that is, the topology diagram is not correctly displayed) as a text message. The generated data is transmitted to the wireless terminal 120 as a drawing processing response (HTTP response), and the topology diagram is displayed on a browser or the like of the wireless terminal 120.

[0099] FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram for explaining a series of operations of the communication system according to the present embodiment.

[0100] [Description of Effects] The first effect is that by notifying the master device of the affiliation status of the wireless terminal of the relay device, and by collectively setting the affiliation status as configuration information in the master device, it is possible to compare the vendor-specific configuration information with the configuration information managed by the master device. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether the vendor-specific configuration information is correct information.

[0101] The second effect is that when displaying the topology diagram, based on the result of the above determination, it is possible to notify the user whether the vendor-specific configuration information is correct information, and if not, what the reason is. Thereby, the user can display the correct topology diagram by waiting for a while and then displaying the topology diagram again.

[0102] [Operations of Another Embodiment] Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 21(a) and (b), etc., the operations of another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the database comparison process of another embodiment, matching of the data between the master device configuration information 200 and the vendor configuration information is performed, and the data of the vendor configuration information is added, updated, or deleted based on the comparison result.

[0103] Referring to FIGS. 21(a) and (b), first, using the own MAC address 201 of the parent device configuration information 200 as a key, it is determined whether there is a corresponding own MAC address in the vendor configuration information (S50, S51). If there is no corresponding own MAC address, it is set as "mismatch (awaiting attribution)", and the data of the corresponding parent device configuration information 200 is added to the vendor configuration information. If there is a corresponding own MAC address, next, using the child MAC address 202 of the parent device configuration information 200 as a key, it is determined whether there is a corresponding child MAC address in the vendor configuration information (S52, S53). If there is no corresponding child MAC address, it is set as "mismatch (awaiting attribution)", and the data of the corresponding parent device configuration information 200 is added to the vendor configuration information. If there is a corresponding child MAC address, next, using the attribution type 203 of the parent device configuration information 200 as a key, it is determined whether the data of the corresponding attribution type in the vendor configuration information is equal (S54, S55). If the corresponding attribution types are not equal, it is set as "mismatch (attribution type mismatch)", and the data of the attribution type 203 of the corresponding parent device configuration information 200 is overwritten (updated) as the data of the corresponding attribution type in the vendor configuration information.

[0104] If the corresponding attribution types are equal, then matching is similarly performed using the data of the child MAC address 202 of the next parent device configuration information 200 as a key. If there is no data (EOF), then matching is similarly performed using the data of the own MAC address 201 of the next parent device configuration information 200 as a key. If there is no data (EOF), then proceed to the next process.

[0105] That is, using the own MAC address of the vendor configuration information as a key, it is determined whether there is a corresponding own MAC address 201 in the parent device configuration information 200 (S56, S57). If there is no corresponding own MAC address, it is set as "mismatch (awaiting disconnection of attribution)", and the corresponding data is deleted from the vendor configuration information.

[0106] If there is a corresponding own MAC address, then, using the child MAC address of the vendor configuration information as a key, it is determined whether there is a corresponding child MAC address 202 in the parent device configuration information 200 (S58, S59). If there is no corresponding child MAC address, then as "mismatch (awaiting attribution)", the corresponding data is deleted from the vendor configuration information.

[0107] If there is a corresponding child MAC address, then matching is similarly performed using the data of the child MAC address of the next vendor configuration information as a key. If there is no data (EOF), then matching is similarly performed using the data of the own MAC address of the next vendor configuration information as a key. If there is no data (EOF), this process is terminated.

[0108] Finally, in the input / output unit 104 of the parent device 100, drawing processing is performed using the vendor configuration information, and data of the topology diagram is generated as response data in HTTP format. The generated data is transmitted to the wireless terminal 120 as a drawing processing response (HTTP response), and the topology diagram is displayed on a browser or the like of the wireless terminal 120.

[0109] [Description of Effects] In another embodiment of the present invention, in the database comparison process, the information of the vendor configuration information can be updated using the parent device configuration information 200. Therefore, even when the vendor configuration information is incorrect, error correction can be performed, and a more accurate topology diagram can be displayed.

[0110] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as follows, but are not limited thereto. Yes. [Appendix 1] It is as described for the relay device according to the first aspect above. [Appendix 2] The communication device information acquisition unit preferably acquires, as communication device information, information including an identification number that the communication device has and a connection mode that is a mode in which the communication device is connected, in association with the identification number that the relay device has. [Appendix 3] Furthermore, there is an update unit that updates the communication device configuration information held in the holding unit according to the acquisition by the communication device information acquisition unit. Preferably, it is a relay device in Appendix 1 or 2. [Appendix 4] The update unit determines whether the identification number of the communication device included in the communication device information acquired by the communication device information acquisition unit according to the detection of the connection of the communication device in the detection unit exists in the communication device configuration information held in the holding unit. In the case of a determination result that it does not exist, the communication device information related to the identification number of the communication device is added to the communication device configuration information. It determines whether the identification number of the communication device included in the communication device information acquired by the communication device information acquisition unit according to the detection of the disconnection of the communication device in the detection unit exists in the communication device configuration information held in the holding unit. In the case of a determination result that it exists, the communication device information related to the identification number of the communication device is deleted from the communication device configuration information. Preferably, it is a relay device in Appendix 3. [Appendix 5] It is as in the communication system according to the second aspect described above. [Appendix 6] The storage unit determines whether the communication device information included in the communication device configuration information received by the receiving unit exists in the communication device configuration information stored in the storage unit. In the case of existence, the communication device information related to the identification number included in the communication device configuration information stored in the storage unit is deleted, and regardless of whether it exists or not, all the communication device information included in the received communication device configuration information is added to the communication device configuration information stored in the storage unit. It includes a master device, preferably the communication system in Appendix 5. [Appendix 7] Preferably, it includes a master device that further has a synchronization unit that adds, updates, or deletes communication device information based on the stored communication device configuration information for another communication device configuration information, which is information regarding the configuration of communication devices in the communication network and is different from the stored communication device configuration information. It is preferably the communication system in Appendix 5 or 6. [Appendix 8] Based on another communication device configuration information, a drawing unit that visualizes and draws the configuration of a communication device within a communication network included in the another communication device configuration information, a drawing request reception unit that receives a drawing request from the drawing unit, and the drawing unit includes a master device that performs drawing in response to the drawing request received by the drawing request reception unit, preferably the communication system of Appendix 7. [Appendix 9] It is as the operation method of the communication system according to the above third perspective. [Appendix 10] It is as the program according to the above fourth perspective. Note that Appendix 9 and Appendix 10 can be expanded to Appendix 6 to Appendix 8 in the same manner as Appendix 5.

[0111] Note that each disclosure of the above-cited patent documents and the like shall be incorporated herein by reference. Within the scope of the entire disclosure of the present invention (including the claims), further embodiments or modifications and adjustments of the embodiments can be made based on its basic technical idea. Also, within the scope of the entire disclosure of the present invention, various combinations or selections (including partial deletion) of various disclosure elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or embodiment, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. That is, the present invention naturally includes all various deformations and modifications that those skilled in the art could make according to the entire disclosure including the claims and the technical idea. In particular, for the numerical ranges described in this document, any numerical value or small range included within the range shall be construed as specifically described even without separate description.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0112] 01: Relay device 02: Detection unit 03: Communication device information acquisition unit 04: Holding unit 05: Transmission unit 06: Update unit 11a~11c: Terminal 21: Master device 22: Reception unit 23: Storage unit 24: Synchronization unit 25: Drawing section 26: Drawing request reception section 001: CPU 002: Memory 003: Input / output interface 004: Wireless communication module 005: Internal bus 100: Parent device, Wireless LAN access point parent device 101: Control unit 101a: Wireless control section 101b: Display processing section 102: Memory unit 103: Network communication unit 104: Input / output unit 104: Communication module 110: Repeater, Wireless LAN access point repeater 111: Control unit 111a: Wireless control section 112: Memory unit 113: Network communication unit 114: Input / output unit 120: Wireless terminal 140: Internet 200: Parent device configuration information 201: Own MAC address 202: Child MAC address 203: Belonging type 300: Child device configuration information 301: Own MAC address 302: Child MAC address 303: Belonging type

Claims

1. A master device connected to a relay device via a communication network, comprising: a receiving unit that receives communication device configuration information transmitted from the relay device; a storage unit that stores the communication device configuration information; based on the stored communication device configuration information, for separate communication device configuration information that is information regarding the configuration of communication devices within the communication network, a synchronization unit that adds, updates, or deletes communication device information; A master device having the above.

2. The storage unit determines whether communication device information included in the communication device configuration information received by the receiving unit exists in the communication device configuration information stored in the storage unit. If it exists, the communication device information related to the identification number included in the communication device configuration information stored in the storage unit is deleted, and regardless of whether it exists, all of the communication device information included in the received communication device configuration information is added to the communication device configuration information stored in the storage unit. The master device according to claim 1.

3. Based on the separate communication device configuration information, a drawing unit that visualizes and draws the configuration of communication devices within the communication network included in the separate communication device configuration information; a drawing request receiving unit that receives a drawing request from the drawing unit; The drawing unit performs drawing in response to the drawing request received by the drawing request receiving unit. The master device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The master device according to claim 3, wherein the drawing unit transmits the drawn drawing information to a terminal.

5. A method of operating a master device connected to a relay device via a communication network, the method comprising: receiving communication device configuration information transmitted from the relay device; storing the communication device configuration information; based on the stored communication device configuration information, for separate communication device configuration information that is information regarding the configuration of communication devices within the communication network, adding, updating, or deleting communication device information. A method of operating a master device.

6. In a computer included in a master device connected to a relay device via a communication network, a process of receiving communication device configuration information transmitted from the relay device; a process of storing the communication device configuration information; based on the stored communication device configuration information, for separate communication device configuration information that is information regarding the configuration of communication devices within the communication network, A program that executes a process of adding, updating, or deleting communication device information based on the stored communication device configuration information.

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