Network Communication System Using LANs and Control Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional monitoring systems for storage systems face challenges in increasing communication speeds and reducing production and development costs as they rely on serial communication, which limits scalability and increases costs with the number of internal units to be monitored.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a network communication system using multiple internal LANs with distinct IP addresses and control units that can switch between open and closed states to manage address duplication and fault tolerance, enabling high-speed communication and reducing costs by utilizing LANs for inter-unit communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If serial communication lines are used to connect monitoring units to internal units, then one-on-one monitoring is achieved, but communication speed is limited and production cost increases with the number of internal units
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple serial communication lines are merged into a single LAN connection. The monitoring unit connects to multiple internal units through a shared network infrastructure (LAN) instead of requiring separate dedicated serial lines for each unit, thereby increasing communication speed while reducing the total number of physical communication lines required.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring unit is designed with multi-functionality to communicate with multiple internal units through a single LAN interface. Instead of being limited to one-on-one serial communication, the monitoring unit can simultaneously monitor multiple internal units via the shared network, making the communication infrastructure universal and scalable.
2Reliability
If the number of monitoring serial lines and serial ports is increased to monitor more internal units, then monitoring coverage is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple serial communication lines are merged into a single LAN connection. The monitoring unit connects to multiple internal units through a shared network infrastructure (LAN) instead of requiring separate dedicated serial lines for each unit, thereby increasing communication speed while reducing the total number of physical communication lines required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses IP addressing and network protocols to create virtual copies of communication channels. Instead of physically duplicating serial lines for each internal unit, the system uses software-based network communication that can be replicated and scaled without proportional increases in physical hardware cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control units with common IP address connect to external network, then external access is enabled, but address duplication occurs between internal LANs and external network
Solution Approach 1:
A NAT (Network Address Translation) function is introduced as an intermediary mechanism. The NAT function translates between internal LAN IP addresses and external network IP addresses, allowing multiple control units to access the external network through a common IP address while preventing address duplication conflicts between internal and external networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses IP addressing and network protocols to create virtual copies of communication channels. Instead of physically duplicating serial lines for each internal unit, the system uses software-based network communication that can be replicated and scaled without proportional increases in physical hardware cost.
Data Source
AI summary
The network communication system is capable of communicating with many internal units at high speed, improving reliability of the system and decreasing a production cost and a development cost. The network communication system comprises a plurality of control units respectively connected to internal LANs, which connect internal units mutually. Each of the control units includes: a port opening/closing unit for selectively setting the control unit in an open state, in which the control unit acts as the unit having a common IP address of the control units with respect to the external network, or in a close state, in which an access to the control unit from the external network is prohibited; and a unit for solving the address duplication, which sets the control unit in the close state and changes the network address of the corresponding internal LAN so as to solve the address duplication. One of the control units is set in the open state, and the rest of the control units is set in the close state.