Connection setting information managing system

In a connection setting information managing system which is configured to set connection setting information using a setting tool, wherein the connection setting information allows a network device connected to an IP network to perform a communication over the IP network, the system includes: a connection setting information storage unit configured to store the connection setting information therein, wherein the connection setting information comprises a tag name that is assigned to and is unique to the network device. The setting tool sets the connection setting information to the network device, based on the tag name that is unique to the network device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a connection setting information managing system and, more specifically, to management of connection setting information which allows a network device connected to an IP network to perform a communication over the IP network.

BACKGROUND ART

Usually, the IP address of a network device to be connected to an IP network is set at a certain value such as “192.168.0.1” in advance at the time of shipment from a factory. To use such a network device, first a user changes its IP address to a value that is suitable for a network environment of the user and then starts using it.

In ordinary network environments, device connection setting information that is necessary for a communication over an IP network is managed in the above-described manner. However, in industrial networks of factories etc., in many cases, a network device is installed before setting of its connection setting information.

In such a case, it is necessary to go to an installation site of a network device and carry out work of setting prescribed connection setting information. If network device are installed in a wide area, setting work requires much labor.

Even if network devices are located at distant places, prescribed settings can be made over an IP network as long as the respective network devices have different IP addresses. However, it is highly likelihood that the same IP address is set for network devices at the time of shipment from the factory. In this case, it is necessary to go to installation sites of the network devices and make necessary settings.

For example, where an IP network includes a wireless network which is constructed according to the wireless communications standard ISA 100.11a, a system manager, a gateway, and a backbone router (BBR) are connected to the IP network. One or more network devices exist on the IP network, and plural identical network device may be connected to the IP network.

FIG. 5is a block diagram showing an example network which is part of a conventional connection setting information managing system. As shown inFIG. 5, a system manager2, a gateway3, and three backbone routers4-6are connected to an IP network1as network devices. A setting tool7for setting, for each of the network devices2-6, connection setting information which allows it to perform a communication over the IP network is also connected to the IP network1. Although field devices such as a flowmeter, a pressure meter, and temperature meter are also connected to the backbone routers4-6, they are not shown in the figure.

As shown inFIG. 5, the IP addresses of these network devices are set at initial addresses in advance: “192.168.10.1” is set for the system manager2, “192.168.10.2” is set for the gateway3, and a common value “192.168.100.1” is set for the backbone routers4-6.

With the above configuration, the setting tool7sets connection setting information for each of the network devices2-6according to the following procedure. It is assumed that the IP network1to which the network devices2-6are connected has been constructed in advance and each of the system manager2, the gateway3, and the three backbone routers4-6is connected to the IP network1in a state that it is only powered on (i.e., in a state at the time of shipment from a factory).

FIG. 6illustrates how connection setting information is set for each of the system manager2and the gateway3. To set connection setting information for each of the system manager2and the gateway3, the IP address of the setting tool7is changed so that the setting tool7belongs to the same subnet as the two network devices2and3(in the example ofFIG. 6, “192.168.0.10”→“192.168.10.10”).

Changing the IP address of the setting tool7so that the setting tool7belongs to the same subnet as the network devices2and3allows the setting tool7to access each of the network devices2and3.

FIG. 7illustrates how connection setting information is set for each of the backbone routers4-6. To set connection setting information for each of the backbone routers4-6, the IP address of the setting tool7is changed so that the setting tool7belongs to the same subnet as the backbone routers4-6(“192.168.0.10”→“192.168.100.10”). However, since the address was set for the backbone routers4-6at the time of shipment from a factory (in the example ofFIG. 7, “192.168.100.1”), a communication cannot be performed normally between the setting tool7and each of the backbone routers4-6.

In the example ofFIG. 7, it is conceivable to make a setting over the IP network1by directly connecting the setting tool7to each of the backbone routers4-6or to make settings individually using a serial connection, an infrared communication, or the like.

As another method, unique IP addresses can be assigned to the network devices using a DHCP (dynamic host configuration protocol) for setting IP addresses (connection setting information) for respective network devices automatically.

Patent document 1 discloses a technique relating to a control system of a manufacturing facility which is configured to perform a wireless communication that complies with the wireless LAN standard IEEE 802.11a in the case of a backbone network and to perform a wireless communication that complies with the wireless LAN standard IEEE 802.11b or IEEE 802.11g in the case of a peripheral network.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

However, in the example ofFIG. 6, the setting tool7needs to recognize the IP addresses of the respective network devices2-6in advance.

In any of the methods relating to the example ofFIG. 7, it is necessary to go to an installation site of each of the backbone routers4-6and set connection setting information in front of each device.

In the case of using a DHCP, MAC (media access control) addresses which are pieces of hardware-specific information are used as identifiers. Therefore, if a network device is replaced due to trouble or the like, its MAC address is also changed, which means use of a different IP address. Therefore, the setting tool is also required to change the IP address information when the replacement is made.

Furthermore, to use a DHCP, additional equipment such as a DHCP server is necessary, which incurs increase in introduction cost.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a connection setting information managing system in which connection setting information which allows a network device connected to an IP network to perform a communication over the IP network can be set for the network device without the need for paying attention to the IP address of the network device.

Means for Solving the Problem

An object of the present invention can be achieved with following configurations:

(1) A connection setting information managing system which is configured to set connection setting information using a setting tool, wherein the connection setting information allows a network device connected to an IP network to perform a communication over the IP network, the system comprising:

a connection setting information storage unit configured to store the connection setting information therein, wherein the connection setting information comprises a tag name that is assigned to and is unique to the network device,

wherein the setting tool sets the connection setting information to the network device, based on the tag name that is unique to the network device.

(2) The system of clause (1), wherein the IP network serves as a setting virtual network temporarily while the connection setting information is set to the network device.

(3) The system of clause (1) or (2), wherein the setting tool is included in the network device.

(4) The system of any one of clause (1) to (3), wherein the network device comprises a setting requester configured to voluntarily request the setting tool to set the connection setting information.

With the above configurations, connection setting information which allows a network device connected to an IP network to perform a communication over the IP network can be set for the network device without the need for paying attention to the IP address of the network device.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafter described in detail.FIG. 1is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the invention, in which items having the same ones inFIG. 5are given the same reference numerals as the latter. The difference betweenFIGS. 1 and 5is that the network devices shown inFIG. 1are assigned respective unique tag names.

More specifically, as shown inFIG. 1, the system manager2is assigned a tag name “tag: SysM1,” the gateway is assigned a tag name “tag: GW1,” the backbone router4is assigned a tag name “tag: bbr1,” the backbone router5is assigned a tag name “tag: bbr2,” and backbone router6is assigned a tag name “tag: bbr3.” When the setting tool7sets connection setting information for each of the network devices2-6, the IP network1serves as a setting virtual network8temporarily.

FIG. 2is a block diagram showing a specific example of a network device (system manager2) used in the embodiment. The system manager2is equipped with a virtual network transmitting/receiving unit21, a control unit22, a setting unit23, and a connection setting information storage unit24.

The virtual network transmitting/receiving unit21exchanges messages with the setting tool7over the setting virtual network8. The control unit22generates a message indicating a content of processing according to a message received by the virtual network transmitting/receiving unit21and passes it to the control unit23. The control unit22also generates a message for requesting the setting tool7to make setting processing and outputs it.

The setting unit23performs, according to a message received from the setting tool7, processing for changing the self setting and processing for storing received connection setting information in the connection setting information storage unit24. The connection setting information storage unit24stores the self tag name, a setting specified by the setting tool7, and other information.

The other network devices3-6are equipped with virtual network transmitting/receiving units31-61, control units32-62, setting units33-63, and connection setting information storage units34-64, respectively, in the same manner as shown inFIG. 2, but they are not shown in any drawings.

FIG. 3is a block diagram showing a specific example of the setting tool7used in the invention. The setting tool7is equipped with a virtual network transmitting/receiving unit71, a control unit72, and a connection setting information storage unit73.

The virtual network transmitting/receiving unit71exchanges messages with each of the network devices2-6over the setting virtual network8. The control unit72makes searches relating to the network devices2-6which are connected to the setting virtual network8, and makes connection settings for the network devices2-6. The connection setting information storage unit73stores connection setting information thus set for each of the network devices2-6.

FIG. 4shows an example network configuration after the connection setting information has been changed with the above-described configuration. Items having the same ones inFIG. 1are given the same reference numerals as the latter. As shown inFIG. 4, with regard to the IP addresses of the respective network devices2-6, for the system manager a change has been made from the initial address “192.168.10.1” to “192.168.0.2,” for the gateway3a change has been made from the initial address “192.168.10.2” to “192.168.0.1,” for the backbone router4a change has been made from the initial address “192.168.100.1” to “192.168.0.101,” for the backbone router5a change has been made from the initial address “192.168.100.1” to “192.168.0.102,” and for the backbone router6a change has been made from the initial address “192.168.100.1” to “192.168.0.103.”

As described above, the setting virtual network8is constructed on the IP network1to which the network devices2-6are connected. The setting virtual network8performs a mutual communication using multicast.

Settings are made in advance so that the network devices2-6and the setting tool7share a multicast address (e.g., “239.123.123.123”) to be used for connection to the setting virtual network8and receive packets directed to the multicast address. In the setting virtual network8, “239.123.123.123” is always used as the destination address of a message.

With the above configuration, each of the network devices2-6which share the multicast address can receive a message.

Each of messages that are exchanged in the setting virtual network8contains a destination tag name and a message type. With this measure, each of the network devices2-6which has received a message from the setting virtual network8can determine whether not the received message is a message that should be processed by comparing the destination tag name with its own tag name. If the destination tag name coincides with its own tag name, the network device performs prescribed processing according to the message type.

Since each of the network devices2-6performs a communication over the setting virtual network8, the setting tool7can communicate with each of the network devices2-6(subjects of setting) without knowing its IP address in advance.

That is, the use of a multicast address allows a device to send and receive a message even if its IP address which was set at the time of shipment from a factory is the same as the IP address of another device.

In the case of the network devices2-6to be connected to an industrial network, they are shipped from a factory in a state that they are assigned tags that are unique to the respective network devices2-6in the network. The setting tool7sets connection setting information for the respective network devices2-6on the basis of the tags which have been set for the respective network devices2-6and are unique to the respective network devices2-6, rather than their IP addresses (conventional case).

A description will be made of an operation according to the invention having the above configuration.

The setting tool7sends messages that inquire tag information from the network devices2-6which are connected to the setting virtual network8. These messages are generated by the control unit72of the setting tool7and sent to the setting virtual network8through the virtual network transmitting/receiving unit71.

In the network devices2-6, their own virtual network transmitting/receiving unit21-61receive the messages and pass the received messages to the control units22-62, respectively. The control units22-62refer to the self tag names stored in the connection setting information storage units24-64, respectively, and generate messages for notification of those tag names. These messages are sent to the setting virtual network8through the respective virtual network transmitting/receiving units21-61.

In the setting tool7, such a message is received by its own virtual network transmitting/receiving unit71and passed to the control unit72. The control unit72searches the connection setting information storage unit73for connection setting information such as an IP address corresponding to the tag name contained in the received message on the basis of the tag name. If corresponding connection setting information exists, the control unit72generates a setting message. The setting message is sent to the setting virtual network8through the virtual network transmitting/receiving unit71.

Each of the network devices2-6receives such a setting message through its own one of the virtual network transmitting/receiving units21-61and passes it to its own one of the control units22-62. Although the setting information reaches all the network devices2-6connected to the setting virtual network8, each of the control units22-62checks the tag name contained in the setting message and passes the setting message to the associated one of the setting units23-63if the tag name contained in the setting message coincides with the self tag name. The associated one of the setting units23-63causes the connection setting information transmitted from the setting tool7to be reflected in the self setting. If the tag name contained in the setting message does not coincide with the self tag name, the associated one of the setting units23-63discards the received connection setting information.

With the above operation, the setting tool7can set proper connection setting information for each of the network devices2-6. After being set in the above-described manner, each of the network devices2-6can perform a communication without using the setting virtual network8because a correct IP address is set therein.

Alternatively, the network devices2-6can be set automatically by sending setting request messages voluntarily when, for example, they are booted. A flow of this operation will be described below.

The control units22-62of the network devices2-6take out their own tag names from the connection setting information storage unit24-64and generate setting request messages, respectively. The generated setting request messages are sent to the setting virtual network8through the respective virtual network transmitting/receiving units21-61.

In the setting tool7, such a setting request message is received by the virtual network transmitting/receiving unit71and passed to the control unit72. The control unit72searches the connection setting information storage unit73for connection setting information such as an IP address corresponding to the tag name contained in the received setting request message on the basis of the tag name. If corresponding connection setting information exists, the control unit72generates a setting message. The setting message is sent to the setting virtual network8through the virtual network transmitting/receiving unit71.

In each of the network devices2-6, such a setting message is received by its own one of the virtual network transmitting/receiving units21-61and passed to its own one of the control units22-62. Its own one of the control units22-62checks the tag name contained in the setting message and passes the setting message to the associated one of the setting units23-63if the tag name contained in the setting message coincides with the self tag name. The associated one of the setting units23-63causes the connection setting information transmitted from the setting tool7to be reflected in the self setting.

Since the network devices2-6are discriminated from each other using their respective tag names, connection setting information can be set without paying attention to IP addresses assigned to the respective network devices2-6.

Connection setting information can be set for the respective network devices2-6even if the setting tool7and the network devices2-6have different IP addresses.

Even if the same initial IP address is set for the plural network devices, connection setting information can be set for the respective network devices2-6because they are discriminated from each other on the basis of their tag names.

Furthermore, connection setting information can be set automatically by constructing a system so that the network devices2-6send setting request messages voluntarily when, for example, they are booted.

Although the above embodiment is directed to the case of using IPv4 in constructing an IP network, a similar configuration can be applied to a case of using IPv6.

Although the above embodiment is directed to the case that the setting tool7is connected to the same network1as the network devices2-6, connection setting information can be set for other network devices that are connected to a different subnet than the setting tool is by using a multicast-compatible router.

Where a setting tool is included in a network device, it becomes possible to complete setting of all network devices merely by connecting the network device to an IP network.

The above description is directed to the particular, preferred embodiment for the purpose of description and illustration of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the above embodiment and includes even more changes and modifications without departing from the essence of the invention.

As described above, the invention makes it possible to realize a connection setting information managing system in which connection setting information which allows a network device connected to an IP network to perform a communication over the IP network can be set for the network device without the need for paying attention to the IP address of the network device.

The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-071917 filed on Mar. 29, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

EXPLANATIONS OF LETTERS AND NUMERALS

1: IP Network2: System Manager21: Virtual network transmitting/receiving unit22: Control unit23: Setting unit24: Connection setting information storage unit3: Gateway31: Virtual network transmitting/receiving unit32: Control unit33: Setting unit34: Connection setting information storage unit4-6: Backbone Routers41-61: Virtual network transmitting/receiving units42-62: Control units43-63: Setting units44-64: Connection setting information storage units7: Setting Tool71: Virtual network transmitting/receiving unit72: Control unit73: Connection setting information storage unit8: Setting Virtual Network