Ethernet Module Intrinsic Number Path Determination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional industrial Ethernet network systems require extensive reconfiguration and effort when failures occur, especially in long-distance extension units, due to the need for manual resetting of multiple units in a ring-shaped network configuration.
Innovation Solution
A network system and method that automatically determine and operate a network path using intrinsic numbers assigned to each Ethernet module, allowing the system to differentiate between single and dual ring network paths, and decide on master or slave modes based on connection status, thereby reducing the need for manual reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual reconfiguration is performed for each extension unit when failure occurs in the Ethernet network, then network connectivity can be restored, but significant time and effort are consumed especially when extension units are located far apart
Solution Approach 1:
The extension units automatically detect connection states and determine network paths using intrinsic numbers without requiring manual intervention. The system self-configures by exchanging connection state information between dualized Ethernet modules and autonomously determines whether to operate in single-ring or dual-ring mode, eliminating the need for manual re-setting of extension units during failure recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic feedback mechanisms where extension units continuously monitor connection states of Ethernet cables and exchange information with neighboring units. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically determines network path topology and automatically adjusts operation mode, enabling rapid response to failures without manual intervention
2Reliability
If dualized extension Ethernet modules are used to form ring networks, then network availability is improved through redundancy, but the complexity of determining network path and operation mode increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each extension unit is pre-assigned a unique intrinsic number before deployment. When the network operates, units automatically perform preliminary detection of connection states using these predefined intrinsic numbers, which simplifies the subsequent determination of network path topology and operation mode without requiring complex real-time analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses intrinsic numbers as key parameters to identify and differentiate between dualized Ethernet modules. By changing the parameter set used for identification from generic addresses to unique intrinsic numbers, the network path determination process becomes simpler and more reliable, as each module can be uniquely identified and tracked
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~3
AI summary
Provided is a network system and a method for determining a network path, the network system including a plurality of extension units (300, 400, 500, 600), each containing dualized basic units (100, 200) and dualized extension Ethernet modules, a first ring network connected by a first basic unit and a plurality of first extension Ethernet modules (310, 410, 510, 610), and a second ring network connected by a second basic unit and a plurality of second extension Ethernet modules (320, 420, 520, 620), wherein the first extension Ethernet module or the second extension Ethernet module transmits or receives data along a network path determined by judging, by the first extension Ethernet module or the second extension Ethernet module, if the first ring network is connected to the second extension Ethernet module using an intrinsic number of each extension Ethernet module.