Network Appliance Control Through Dynamic IP–MAC Address Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy management systems struggle to accurately manage control target appliances due to dynamic address updates, particularly when appliances are not registered with the address resolution protocol, leading to challenges in acquiring the necessary media access control addresses.
Innovation Solution
A control device that utilizes a static address system by associating dynamic addresses with static addresses, identifying and updating appliance information using a table storage, and requesting static address information when needed, ensuring accurate management of control target appliances through a network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic address assignment is used in the network, then network adaptability is improved, but address management reliability deteriorates due to address updates causing loss of appliance information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments address management into two distinct parts: dynamic IP address assignment for network adaptability and static MAC address management for reliable appliance identification. The control device maintains separate table information for dynamic addresses and static addresses, allowing each to fulfill its specific function without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an address association table as an intermediary mechanism that links dynamic IP addresses with static MAC addresses. This table serves as a mediator that preserves the relationship between changing network addresses and permanent appliance identifiers, ensuring continuous reliable control despite address updates.
2Speed
If ARP registration is not implemented for newly connected appliances, then network operation speed is improved, but address acquisition precision deteriorates making it impossible to acquire MAC addresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having appliances pre-register their static MAC addresses with the control device during initial connection, before any dynamic IP address assignment occurs. This preliminary registration ensures that even without ARP registration, the control device already possesses the permanent address information needed for future communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the control device periodically updates its address association table by receiving current dynamic address information from appliances while retaining their static MAC addresses. This continuous feedback loop maintains accurate address mappings without requiring traditional ARP registration processes.
3Measurement precision
If static address management is implemented, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to dual address management systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges static MAC address management with dynamic IP address management into a unified address association table. Rather than maintaining completely separate management systems, the solution combines both address types in a single data structure that the control device handles through integrated processes, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The address association table serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores static MAC addresses for reliable identification, tracks dynamic IP addresses for network communication, and provides the linkage between them. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate management mechanisms for each address type.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device includes an address resolution protocol (ARP) table storage to store ARP table information associating a media access control (MAC) address with an Internet protocol (IP) address assigned to an appliance in a network including the appliance, a MAC address identifier to identify the MAC address of the appliance based on the ARP table information, an appliance message transmitter to transmit an appliance message to the appliance using the identified MAC address, and a MAC address acquirer to transmit, to the appliance corresponding to a combination of the IP address and the MAC address not included in the ARP table information, an ARP request requesting transmission of MAC address information to acquire the MAC address information of the appliance, and add the MAC address information to the ARP table information.