KR102565845B1 - Network Switching Apparatus Capable of Adaptive Network Routing - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a network switching device capable of adaptively setting a network path.
According to an aspect of the present embodiment, in a network switching device that forms a network path between an access device and a modem and adaptively varies the network path according to quality, one or more first ports connected to one or more access devices and MAC addresses of one or more second ports connected to one or more modems, MAC addresses of access devices connected to the first ports, and MAC addresses of all modems receiving responses after broadcasting to all modems connected to the second ports. When a network path is formed by connecting a memory unit for storing , an arbitrary access device connected to the first port, and a modem connected to the second port, a modem that satisfies a predetermined condition, and the quality of the formed network path deteriorates. and a controller for forming a network path by connecting an arbitrary access device connected to the first port and another modem without waiting time.

Description

Network Switching Apparatus Capable of Adaptive Network Routing

The present invention relates to a network switching device capable of adaptively setting a (network) path according to a network environment.

The contents described in this part merely provide background information on the present embodiment and do not constitute prior art.

When a terminal such as a smartphone uses a network service, eg, Wi-Fi, a network path is set as follows.

A network path is established between a terminal, an access point (AP), a switching device, a modem/repeat, and a baseband unit (BBU), and data is transmitted and received between the terminal and the BBU. Here, the switching device is between the AP and the modem/repeat on the network path. It is a device that prevents packet collisions during transmission. The switching device calculates the destination address (packet) to be transmitted and the destination to receive the packet based on the destination address to receive the packet, and connects 1:1 using a port.

When an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) request signal is received from a terminal, the switching device broadcasts to each modem/repeater and sets a network path as a path of the modem/repeater that receives the fastest response therefrom. In setting a network path, the switching device stores MAC addresses of APs and modems/repeaters to transmit/receive data, and transfers data to a device having the stored MAC addresses.

At this time, when a network path needs to be changed due to problems such as movement of the modem/repeat or low communication sensitivity, the MAC address stored in the switching device must be updated. A conventional switching device starts counting (Aging Time) and updates the MAC address only when counting is completed for a preset time. According to these characteristics, even if the above-described network sensitivity problem occurs, it is difficult to quickly set a network path because the conventional switching device can update the MAC address only after a preset counting time has elapsed.

An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a network switching device capable of quickly setting a network path in response to an adaptive response according to a network environment.

According to one aspect of the present invention, in a network switching device that forms a network path between an access device and a modem and adaptively varies the network path according to quality, one or more first ports connected to one or more access devices and MAC addresses of one or more second ports connected to one or more modems, MAC addresses of access devices connected to the first ports, and MAC addresses of all modems receiving responses after broadcasting to all modems connected to the second ports. When a network path is formed by connecting a memory unit for storing , an arbitrary access device connected to the first port, and a modem connected to the second port, a modem that satisfies a predetermined condition, and the quality of the formed network path deteriorates. and a controller for forming a network path by connecting an arbitrary access device connected to the first port and another modem without waiting time.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the preset condition is characterized in that a response is transmitted most quickly.

According to one aspect of the present invention, when the quality of the formed network path deteriorates, the control unit selects a modem that quickly transmits a response signal next to a modem that satisfies the preset condition without waiting time for random access connected to the first port. It is characterized in that a network path is formed by connecting with a device.

According to one aspect of the present invention, in forming a network path by connecting a random access device connected to the first port and another modem, the control unit connects the random access device connected to the first port to the MAC of the other modem. It is characterized by sending an address.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit deletes the MAC address of the modem that satisfies the predetermined condition from among the MAC addresses stored in the memory unit without waiting time when the quality of the formed network path deteriorates.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit determines that the quality of the network path has deteriorated when a repeater on a pre-established network path moves away from the BBU or communication sensitivity decreases.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the memory unit stores MAC addresses of each access device and each modem in correspondence with port numbers to which they are connected.

As described above, by adaptively changing the network path according to the network environment, there is an advantage in maintaining a pleasant network environment by quickly changing the network path even if the environment of the preset network path deteriorates.

1 is a diagram illustrating a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a network switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an exemplary view of an input port and an output port of a network switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a MAC address table of a network switching device.
5 is a timing chart illustrating a method of configuring a network by a network switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a timing chart illustrating a method of changing a network in which a network switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention is set.

Since the present invention can make various changes and have various embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. Like reference numerals have been used for like elements throughout the description of each figure.

Terms such as first, second, A, and B may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, a first element may be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The terms and/or include any combination of a plurality of related recited items or any of a plurality of related recited items.

It is understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but other elements may exist in the middle. It should be. On the other hand, when an element is referred to as “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another element, it should be understood that no intervening element exists.

Terms used in this application are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should be understood that terms such as "include" or "having" in this application do not exclude in advance the possibility of existence or addition of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification. .

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.

Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and unless explicitly defined in the present application, they should not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal meaning. don't

In addition, each configuration, process, process or method included in each embodiment of the present invention may be shared within a range that does not contradict each other technically.

1 is a diagram illustrating a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a network system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal 110, an access device 120, a network switching device 130, a modem 140, a repeater 150, and a BBU ( 160).

The terminal 110 passes through a baseband unit (BBU) 160 and each component in the system 100, and a network path is set to transmit and receive data. For example, the terminal 110 can use a wireless network, eg, Wi-Fi, by setting a network path for Wi-Fi with the BBU 160, and transmit/receive (upload/download) data.

The access device 120 connects the terminal 110 to the switching device 130 and the modem 140 / repeater 150 so that the terminal 110 can use the wireless network. The access device 120 stores the MAC addresses of the terminals 110 and modems 140 that are or can be connected to the access device, and when receiving a data transmission request from one of the stored configurations, the other stored MAC addresses. Data can be transmitted with the configuration of When the wireless network is Wi-Fi, the access device 120 may be implemented as an access point (AP).

The network switching device 130 (hereinafter abbreviated as "switching device") forms a network path between the access device 120 and the modem 140, and adaptively changes the network path according to the quality of the set network path. let it

The switching device 130 is connected to one or more access devices 120 and one or more modems 140 through respective ports, and connects the two 1:1 using the ports. The switching device 130 includes an input port and an output port, and includes one or more input/output ports. Different access devices and modems 140 are connected to each port, and both are connected. In the connection between the two, the switching device 130 stores the MAC addresses of the devices connected to it, connects only the devices with the MAC addresses stored to each other, and forms a network path.

The switching device 130 adaptively changes the network path according to the quality of the set network path. There are cases in which the quality of the established network path deteriorates in some cases. For example, communication sensitivity between the repeater 150 and the BBU 160 may decrease or the repeater 150 may move away from the BBU 160. In this way, when the quality of the established network path deteriorates, the switching device 130 may recognize this. When the quality of the set current network path deteriorates, the switching device 130 immediately deletes the MAC address of the configuration in the network path whose quality deteriorates without a separate waiting time (counting), and the configuration constituting the other network path form a network path. Accordingly, even if the quality of one network path deteriorates, the switching device 130 immediately changes the network path so that data can be transmitted/received between the terminal 110 and the BBU 160 smoothly without waiting time. A specific configuration and operation of the switching device 130 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 .

The modem 140 and the repeater 150 relay data transmission and reception between the switching device 130 and the BBU 160 . Various numbers of modems 140a and 140b and repeaters 150a and 150b may exist between the terminal 110 and the BBU 160, and various network paths may be formed. To form a network path, each modem (140a, 140b, etc.) is connected to a port of the switching device 130, transmits and stores its own MAC address. Accordingly, various network paths may be formed, and a network may be formed between the terminal 110 and the BBU 160 through an optimal network path under the control of the switching device 130, or may be changed to another network path in some cases. can

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a network switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is an example of an input port and an output port of the network switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is It is a diagram showing an example of a MAC address table of a network switching device.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a network switching device 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an input port 210 , an output port 220 , a control unit 230 and a memory unit 240 .

The input port 210 is connected to each access device 120 and transmits and receives data to and from the access device 120 . One or more input ports 210 in one access device 120 may be included, so they do not necessarily have to be connected to one access device 120, and one or more different access devices 120 may be connected to the switching device 130. can be connected with

The output port 220 is connected to each modem 140 to transmit and receive data to and from the modem 140 . Like the input port 210, one or more output ports may be included, and one or more different modems 140 may be connected to the switching device 130.

An example of an input port 210 and an output port 220 is shown in FIG. 3 .

As an example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the switching device 130 may include three input ports 210a to 210c and two output ports 220a and 220b, and each input port has a different access device. 120 may be coupled, and different modems 140 may be coupled to each output port.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the input port 210 and the output port 220 are defined for convenience for distinction, and only input of data is performed at the input port 210 and only output of data is performed at the output port 220. this is not being done.

The control unit 230 controls connection and change (on a network) between the access device 120 and the modem 140 using data stored in the memory unit 240 .

The controller 230 connects any one access device 120 connected to the input port 210 and any one modem 140 connected to the output port 220. When data (eg, Ethernet data) is received from the first access device 120, the control unit 230 controls the memory unit 240 to store the MAC address of the access device 120, and stores the received data It broadcasts to each modem 140 connected to its own output port 220 to find a route. After broadcasting, the controller 230 establishes a network path by connecting the modem 140 that sent the response signal the fastest and the access device 120. This is because the network path with the modem 140 to which the response signal arrives the fastest has the highest quality. However, the control unit 230 controls the memory unit 240 to form a network path with the modem that sent the response signal the fastest, but to store the MAC addresses of all modems 140 that sent the response signal. Since the control unit 230 controls to store the MAC addresses of all modems 140 that have sent response signals, if the quality of the currently set network path deteriorates, the network path is immediately stored in another mode having the MAC address stored without waiting time. You can change to any of the modems.

When the quality of the currently connected network path deteriorates, the controller 230 immediately changes the network path. If the quality of the currently connected network path deteriorates, data transmitted to the BBU 160 via the modem 140 and the repeater 150 on the current path becomes destination lookup failure (DLF) and is discarded. As such, when discarded data occurs, the control unit 230 recognizes that the quality of the network path has deteriorated and immediately deletes the MAC address of the modem 140 on the corresponding path without additional waiting time. Thereafter, the control unit 230 connects the existing access device 120 and another modem 140 to form a network path with the other modem 140 . As described above, the control unit 230 controls the memory unit 240 to store the MAC addresses of all modems received after broadcasting. Accordingly, it is possible to set a network path with other modems immediately after the deletion is performed without additionally receiving the MAC addresses of other modems. Accordingly, when network quality deteriorates, the controller 230 can immediately set another network path. Unlike a conventional switching device in which a stored MAC address can be changed (deleted) and a network path can be changed accordingly only after a separate waiting time, the switching device 130 immediately operates on the network under the control of the control unit 230 described above. It is possible to change the route.

The memory unit 240 stores MAC addresses and port numbers of elements connected to the respective ports 210 and 220 of the switching device 130 . As shown in FIG. 4, the memory unit 240 stores the MAC address of the access device 120 connected to the input port 210/connected port number and the MAC address of the modem 140 connected to the output port 220/connected port number. Save the port number. As shown in FIG. 4, in the related art, in order to modify or delete a stored MAC address, a predetermined aging time has to elapse, which is inconvenient. However, unlike conventional memory units, the memory unit 240 stores the MAC addresses of all modems 140 that have transmitted responses after broadcasting under the control of the control unit 230 . In addition, the memory unit 240 enables a network path to be adaptively changed by immediately modifying or deleting the stored MAC address without waiting time under the control of the controller 230 .

5 is a timing chart illustrating a method of configuring a network by a network switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The terminal 110 transmits an ARP request signal to the access device 120 (S510). To start the network, the terminal transmits an ARP request signal including its own MAC address to the access device 120.

The access device 120 stores the MAC address of the terminal 110 based on the received ARP request signal (S520). The access device 120 connects the terminal 110 and the switching device 130 through a network path by storing the MAC address of the terminal.

The access device 120 transmits the data received from the terminal 110 to the switching device 130 (S530). The access device 120 transmits its own MAC address together with the data received from the terminal 110 so that the switching device 130 can recognize itself.

The switching device 130 stores the MAC address of the access device 120 (S540).

The switching device 130 broadcasts the received data to all modems 140 connected thereto (S550 and S555).

The switching device 130 stores the MAC addresses of all modems giving responses after broadcasting (S560). Unlike the prior art, the switching device 130 stores all MAC addresses of all modems that have responded.

The switching device 130 transmits the address of the specific modem to the access device 120 (S570). The switching device 130 transfers the MAC address of the modem that responded the fastest among the modems that responded to the access device 120 . As the MAC address of the modem is transmitted to the access device 120, the access device 120 may specify that data to be transmitted from the terminal 110 to the BBU 160 be transmitted via the corresponding modem.

The access device 120 stores the MAC address of the received modem (S580).

The access device 120 transmits the MAC address of the received modem to the terminal 110 (S590).

According to this process, a network path passing through the corresponding modem and the repeater connected thereto is set, and the terminal 110 and the BBU 160 perform communication through the corresponding path.

6 is a timing chart illustrating a method of changing a network in which a network switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention is set.

When an error occurs in a preset network path, the switching device 130 immediately deletes the MAC address of the corresponding modem 150a (S610). An abnormality may occur in a preset network path, such as a repeater moving away from the BBU 160 or communication sensitivity decreasing. In this case, even if the switching device 130 receives data from the access device 120 and transmits the data to a specific modem, it becomes data that cannot find a destination and is discarded. In this way, the switching device 130 confirms that an error has occurred in the network path based on whether or not the data is discarded.

When an error occurs, the switching device 130 immediately deletes the MAC address of the corresponding modem 150a without waiting time.

The switching device 130 transmits an ARP response (Reply) signal (S620). When the MAC address of the modem on the path where the error occurred is deleted, the switching device 130 transmits an ARP response signal including the MAC address of the other modem 150b to the access device 120. Here, the other modem may be a modem that quickly transmits a response signal in the next priority after the switching device 130 broadcasts.

The access device 120 deletes the stored MAC address of the modem 150a and stores the MAC address of the received modem 150b (S630). By modifying the MAC address of the modem by the access device 120, later, data is transmitted from the terminal 110 to the BBU 160 or vice versa on the network path where the new modem exists.

The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of the present embodiment, and various modifications and variations can be made to those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. Therefore, the present embodiments are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present embodiment, but to explain, and the scope of the technical idea of the present embodiment is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of this embodiment should be construed according to the claims below, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the scope of rights of this embodiment.

100: network system
110: Terminal
120: access device
130: network switching device
140: modem
150: repeater
160: BBU
210: input port
220: output port
230: control unit
240: memory unit

Claims (7)

A network switching device that forms a network path between an access device and a modem and adaptively varies the network path according to quality,
one or more first ports connected to one or more access devices;
one or more second ports connected to one or more modems;
a memory unit for storing MAC addresses of access devices connected to the first port and MAC addresses of all modems that have sent response signals after broadcasting to all modems connected to the second port; and
A network path is formed by connecting a random access device connected to the first port and a modem that transmits a response fastest among the modems connected to the second port, and when the quality of the formed network path deteriorates, a response is made in the next priority without waiting time. A network path is formed by connecting another modem that transmits a signal quickly with an arbitrary access device connected to the first port, and a network path is formed by connecting the arbitrary access device connected to the first port and another modem, The MAC address of another modem is transmitted to the random access device connected to the first port, and when the quality of the formed network path deteriorates, the MAC address of the modem that transmits the fastest response among the MAC addresses stored in the memory unit without waiting time Control to delete
Network switching device comprising a. delete delete delete delete According to claim 1,
The control unit,
A network switching device that determines that the quality of a network path has deteriorated when a repeater on a pre-established network path moves away from the BBU or communication sensitivity is lowered. According to claim 1,
the memory unit,
A network switching device characterized by storing MAC addresses of each access device and each modem in correspondence with the number of a port to which they are connected.

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