Distributed Naming Service for Industrial Routers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial automation systems face issues with communication disruptions and unnecessary message repetition due to large volumes of short messages, leading to system disturbances and potential production failures.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to provide a distributed naming service using IPv6 prefixes distributed via router advertisements, which include topological and/or hierarchical name components, allowing communication terminals to generate unique device names without a central coordinating entity, and can be integrated into existing systems using Internet Control Message Protocol Version 6.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a central coordinating entity is used to allocate device names, then naming uniqueness is ensured, but system complexity and administrative effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenaming uniquenessVSAvoidcentral coordination structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the naming service into distributed router advertisements across multiple subnetworks rather than using a single central entity. Each router independently advertises name prefixes in its subnetwork, eliminating the need for centralized coordination while maintaining naming uniqueness through hierarchical prefix allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Communication terminals automatically generate their own device names by combining received router advertisement prefixes with local identifiers. This self-service mechanism eliminates administrative overhead for name allocation while ensuring uniqueness through the hierarchical prefix structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual device name configuration is used, then naming control is precise, but administrative effort and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenaming control precisionVSAvoidadministrative time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Router advertisements pre-allocate hierarchical name prefixes to subnetworks before devices need naming. This preliminary action establishes the naming framework in advance, allowing devices to automatically generate unique names without manual configuration time while maintaining precise hierarchical control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Communication terminals automatically generate their own device names by combining received router advertisement prefixes with local identifiers. This eliminates manual naming administration entirely while maintaining precise hierarchical naming control through the automated prefix combination process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If device names are changed during operation, then system adaptability improves, but communication disruptions and message repetition increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice name change capabilityVSAvoidcommunication stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic router advertisements that can be updated during system operation. When devices are added, removed, or renamed, routers automatically send updated advertisements with new name prefixes, allowing the system to adapt to changes while maintaining communication stability through automated updates rather than manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from network changes to trigger automatic router advertisement updates. When device configurations change, the system detects these changes and automatically propagates updated naming information through router advertisements, maintaining adaptability while preventing communication disruptions through automated consistency maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If IPv4 addressing is used, then compatibility with legacy systems is maintained, but addressing scalability and automation capability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelegacy system compatibilityVSAvoidnaming automation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses IPv6 addressing which provides universal compatibility across both legacy and modern systems. The IPv6 hierarchical prefix structure enables automated naming generation while maintaining broad system compatibility, serving multiple functions including legacy integration, automated naming, and scalable addressing simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9641483B2Method of providing a naming service inside an industrial communication system, and a router

Publication Date: 2017.05.02 SIEMENS AG

AI summary

Router advertisements containing name information from superordinate subnetworks are received by routers associated with subordinate subnetworks. The router advertisements are supplemented with a topological and/or hierarchical name component associated with the respective router and are distributed inside the respective subordinate subnetwork. Communication terminals independently generate their device name from topological and/or hierarchical name components and a unique name component inside their respective subnetwork.