Network system configuration method and network system

Abstract

A network system configuration method is used in a network system including a plurality of network nodes. The network system configuration method comprises: (a) a host device transmits a configuration data unit to a first network node; The node, the setting data unit includes an initial count value; (b) after modifying the initial count value to a first count value, the first network node uses the first count value as a first target address; (c) the first network node confirms whether there is a second network node to which the transmission can continue; (d) if the second network node exists, the configuration data unit is transmitted to the second network node; The second network node modifies the first count value into a second count value and uses the second count value as a second target address of the second network node.

Description

Technical Field

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0007] Another embodiment of the present invention establishes a network system comprising: a first network node; and a second network node, the first network node and the second network node being daisy-chained together. The first network node and the second network node are configured to execute a network system configuration method, the network system configuration method comprising: (a) the first network node receiving a configuration data unit transmitted by a host device, the configuration data unit comprising an initial count value; (b) the first network node modifying the initial count value to a first count value, and then using the first count value as a first target address of the first network node; (c) the first network node confirming whether there is a second network node that can continue transmission; and (d) if the second network node exists, transmitting the configuration data unit to the second network node, the second network node modifying the first count value to a second count value, and then using the second count value as a second target address of the second network node.

[0008] According to the foregoing embodiments, the network system can automatically establish routing tables and target addresses without having to set them in advance or manually as in conventional technologies. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0009] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of setting up a packet according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of the operation of the network system shown in Figure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 illustrates the operation of the network system shown in Figure 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart of a network system configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0010] The present invention will be described below with reference to several embodiments. Please note that the terms "first," "second," and similar descriptions in the following description are only used to define different elements, parameters, data, signals, or steps, and are not intended to limit their order. For example, the first device and the second device may be devices with the same structure but different from each other.

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a network system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the network system 100 includes a plurality of network nodes connected in a daisy chain. In the following embodiments, a first network node NN_1, a second network node NN_2, and a third network node NN_3 are used for illustration. However, the network system 100 is not limited to the number of network nodes shown in Figure 1. In the following embodiments, the network nodes of the network system 100 are network devices conforming to the aforementioned MIPI A-PHY specification, i.e., the aforementioned A-PHY devices. However, any network device capable of performing the steps of the present invention should be included within the scope of the present invention. When a network node uses a specification other than MIPI A-PHY, the target address may be changed to the name corresponding to that specification.

[0012] In one embodiment, host device 101 transmits a configuration packet SP to any network node at any endpoint of network system 100, i.e., the initial or final network node in a daisy chain. Host device 101 can be any device capable of generating a configuration packet SP, such as a computer. The configuration packet SP contains configuration information required for the following steps. However, the configuration packet SP can also be presented in other data unit formats besides packets. Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a configuration packet SP according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, the configuration packet SP includes the following parameters: instructions, status values, and count values. Instructions are used to indicate whether the network node wants to perform the network system configuration method in the following embodiments. Status values ​​are used to indicate which action the network node wants to perform. Count values ​​are used to allocate target addresses and calculate the total number of network nodes. Details of the instructions, status values, and count values ​​will be described below.

[0013] Figure 3 illustrates the operation of the network system shown in Figure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following embodiments, CM represents the instruction in the configuration packet SP, S represents the status value, and CV represents the count value. As shown in Figure 3, the host device 101 transmits a configuration packet SP to the first network node NN_1. In the configuration packet SP received by the first network node NN_1, the instruction is 0, which is used to instruct the network node to perform network configuration actions. In the configuration packet SP received by the first network node NN_1, the initial value of the status value is 0 (initial status value), which represents that the first network node NN_1 is the controller (that is, the first network node to receive the configuration packet SP). The first network node NN_1 changes the status value from 0 to 1 (first status value). A status value of 1 represents that the network node is the target node and not the controller, that is, not the first network node to receive the configuration packet SP. In the following embodiments, the second network node NN_2 and the third network node NN_3 are both set as target nodes because they receive a configuration packet SP with a status value of 1.

[0014] Furthermore, the initial value of the packet SP's count is set to 1 (initial count value). The first network node NN_1 will increment the count by 1 to become 2 (first count value) and use 2 as its target address. However, please note that the change of the count value is not limited to increasing or decreasing by 1 each time. Any change in the count value that can be used to allocate a target address or calculate the total number of network nodes should fall within the scope of this invention.

[0015] The first network node NN_1 will check if there is a second network node NN_2 that can continue the transmission. In the embodiment of Figure 3, because the second network node NN_2 exists, the first network node NN_1 will transmit the modified configuration data unit SP to the second network node NN_2. If the second network node NN_2 does not exist, that is, the first network node NN_1 is the last network node, then the first network node NN_1 will change the count value to 1 and the status value to 3 (the third status value), and send the modified configuration packet SP back to the host device 101. The status value of 3 represents a report, indicating that the last network node has received the configuration packet SP and there is no need to build a routing table. In this example, because the count value is the initial count value of 1 and the status value is 3, the host device 101 will know that there is only one network node, and because there is only one network node, the first network node NN_1, the packet can only be transmitted through the first network node NN_1, therefore the first network node NN_1 does not build a routing table.

[0016] After receiving the configuration data unit SP transmitted by the first network node NN_1, the second network node NN_2 recognizes it as the target node based on its status value of 1. The second network node NN_2 increments its counter from 2 to 3 (the second counter value) and uses 3 as its second target address. The second network node NN_2 then checks if there is a third network node NN_3 that can continue transmitting the configuration packet SP to determine whether to continue transmitting it. If the third network node NN_3 does not exist, it means that the second network node NN_2 is the last network node. In this case, the second network node NN_2 changes its status value to 2 (the second status value), indicating that the network node begins building a routing table. Then, the second network node sends the configuration packet SP back to the first network node NN_1 and builds its routing table. After receiving the configuration packet SP with a status value of 2, the first network node NN_1 also builds its routing table and sends the configuration packet SP back to the host device 101. The host device 101 receives a configuration packet SP with a status value of 2 and a count value of 3, while the initial count value is 1. Therefore, the host device 101 can know that there are a total of 2 network nodes.

[0017] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, because the third network node NN_3 exists, the second network node NN_2 transmits the configuration packet SP to the third network node NN_3. After the third network node NN_3 modifies the count value 3 to 4 (the third count value), the third network node NN_3 uses 4 as its third destination address. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the third network node NN_3 is the last network node. Therefore, as described in Figure 3, the third network node NN_3 changes its status value to 2 (the second status value), which represents the network node starting to build a routing table. Then, the configuration packet SP is sent back from the third network node NN_3 to the second network node NN_2, and then back to the first network node NN_1. After receiving the configuration packet SP with a status value of 2, the first network node NN_1 and the second network node NN_2 also build routing tables. Finally, the first network node NN_1 sends the configuration packet SP back to the host device 101. The host device 101 receives a setting packet with a status value of 2 and a count value of 4. Since the initial count value is 1, the host device 101 knows that there are a total of 3 network nodes. In one embodiment, after receiving a setting packet SP with a status value of 2, each network node NN_1 will decide whether to send the setting packet SP to the previous network node or to the host device 101, depending on whether it is a controller or a target node.

[0018] In one embodiment, a network node sets the port of the network node to which it is connected as a transmit or receive port, depending on the target address that has been set. For example, in the example of FIG. The ports P_21 and P_22 of the second network node NN_2 are the receive and the transmit ports, respectively, and the ports P_31 and P_32 of the third network node NN_3 are the receive and transmit ports, respectively. Therefore, in the process of transmitting the set packet SP to the next network node (for example, the first network node NN_1 is sent to the second network node NN_2), it is sent from its own transmit port to the next receiving port (for example, port P_12 is sent to port P_21).

[0019] and in the return process, (for example, the second network node NN_2 is sent to the first network node NN_1). The target device, will set the port of the connected network node as a transmit port or a receiver port according to the set target address. For example, in the preceding embodiment, the target addresses of the first network node NN_1, the second network node NN_2, and the third network node NN_3 are 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Ports P_21 and P_22 of the second network node NN_2 are connected to port P_12 of the first network node NN_1 and port P_31 of the third network node NN_3, respectively.

[0020] In this case, the second network node NN_2 will set the port of the network node with the larger target address as the transmit port, for example, the port P_31 of the third network node NN_3 will be set as the transmit port. In contrast, the second network node NN_2 sets the port of the network node with a smaller target address as the receiving port, e.g., the port P_12 of the first network node NN_1 is set as the receiving port. By this way, it can be ensured that the return action can be carried out smoothly.

[0021] As mentioned previously, the number of network nodes in the network system 100 of the invention is not limited to 3. Therefore, regardless of the number of network nodes in the network system 100 , the routing table and target address can be created by following the steps described above.

[0022] According to the foregoing embodiments, a network system setup method can be obtained. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a network system setup method according to an embodiment of the present invention. This network system setup method can be used in a network system containing a plurality of network nodes (e.g., network system 100 shown in FIG. 1), which are connected in a daisy chain. This network system setup method contains:

[0023] Step 501

[0024] A host device (e.g., host device 101 in Figure 1) transmits a configuration data unit (e.g., configuration packet SP) to a first network node (e.g., first network node NN_1) of a plurality of network nodes. The configuration data unit contains an initial count value (e.g., 1).

[0025] Step 503

[0026] After modifying the initial count value to a first count value (e.g., 2), the first network node uses the first count value as a first target address of the first network node.

[0027] Step 505

[0028] The first network node checks if there is a second network node (e.g., NN_2) that can continue transmitting the data.

[0029] Step 507

[0030] If the second network node exists, the configuration data unit will be transmitted to the second network node. After the second network node modifies the first count value to a second count value (e.g., 3), the second network node will use the second count value as a second target address of the second network node.

[0031] Other detailed steps have been described in the foregoing embodiments, and therefore will not be repeated here.

[0032] According to the foregoing embodiments, the network system can automatically establish routing tables and target addresses without having to set them in advance or manually as in conventional technologies. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims of the present invention shall be covered by the present invention.

[0033] 100: Network System 101: Main unit NN_1: First network node NN_2: Second network node NN_3: Third network node SP: Configure Packet P11, P_12, P_21, P_22, P_31, P_32: Port

Claims

1. A network system configuration method for use in a network system comprising a plurality of network nodes connected in a daisy chain, the network system configuration method comprising: (a) a host device transmitting a configuration data unit to a first network node of the network nodes, the configuration data unit comprising an initial count value; (b) after modifying the initial count value to a first count value, the first network node using the first count value as a first target address of the first network node; (c) the first network node checking whether there is a second network node to which the data can be transmitted; and (d) if the second network node exists, transmitting the configuration data unit to the second network node, the second network node modifying the first count value to a second count value, and using the second count value as a second target address of the second network node.

2. The network system setting method as described in claim 1, wherein step (d) further comprises: if the second network node does not exist, the first network node modifies the first count value to the initial count value and then sends the setting data unit back to the host device.

3. The network system setting method as described in claim 1 further includes: the second network node confirming whether there is a third network node that can continue to transmit; if the third network node exists, the setting data unit is transmitted to the third network node, and after the third network node modifies the second count value to a third count value, the third network node uses the third count value as a third target address of the third network node.

4. The network system configuration method as described in claim 3, wherein the second network node configures the port of the network node to which it is connected as a transmit port or a receive port according to the first target address.

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

6. The network system setting method as described in claim 5 further includes: the second network node confirming whether there is a third network node that can continue to transmit; if the third network node does not exist, changing the first status value to a second status value and sending the setting data unit back to the first network node.

7. The network system configuration method as described in claim 6, wherein both the first network node and the second network node respond to the second state value and establish their respective routing tables.

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

9. The network system configuration method as described in claim 1, wherein the configuration data unit is a packet.

10. A network system comprising: a first network node; and a second network node, the first network node and the second network node being daisy-chained together; the first network node and the second network node being configured to perform a network system configuration method, the network system configuration method comprising: (a) the first network node receiving a configuration data unit transmitted by a host device, the configuration data unit including an initial count value; (b) the first network node modifying the initial count value to a first count value, and then using the first count value as a first target address of the first network node; (c) the first network node confirming whether there is a second network node that can continue to transmit; (d) if the second network node exists, transmitting the configuration data unit to the second network node, the second network node modifying the first count value to a second count value, and then using the second count value as a second target address of the second network node.

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