Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Network computer configuring
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-25
2004-02-24
Jean, Frantz B. (Department: 2155)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Network computer configuring
C709S223000, C709S224000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06697853
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for conducting effective control with a small management load in an IP network comprised of a communication control apparatus having a function to transfer an IP (internet protocol) packet, inject a program, and execute the program and a network management system for controlling a plurality of the communication control apparatuses.
2. Description of the Related Art
An IP network is comprised of a plurality of communication control apparatuses each having an IP packet transfer means called a node. This IP network is of a connection-less type and has been prevailing in the society because it is easy to use and has a wide compatibility.
An IP network is most typically managed using an SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and an MIB (Management Information Base) which are standardized or regulated by the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force). The SNMP is a transfer protocol between a network management system and a node called an EMS (Element Management System) and MIB, a database which defines node control or information. Each node can be managed by the EMS when it reads and writes an MIB installed at the node.
An example of a prior art controlling method for managing an IP network is described with reference to FIG.
2
.
FIG. 2
is a block diagram for showing a control configuration in a typical IP network.
An IP network
240
shown in
FIG. 2
is comprised of a plurality of nodes
220
-
1
to
220
-
6
connected thereto, each of which is connected through its dedicated control line to an EMS210 using a protocol regulated by the SNMP. These nodes
220
-
1
to
220
-
6
have MIB221-1 to 221-6 respectively.
For example, when the node
220
-
1
needs to be controlled by the EMS210, the MS210 uses through the control line a protocol regulated by the SNMP to make access to the MIB1-2 at the node
220
-
1
in order to write an appropriate value to a relevant item present in this MIB221-1, thus controlling this node
220
-
1
.
Furthermore, when the EMS210 needs to reference information of the node
220
-
2
, the EMS210 uses through the control line a protocol regulated by the SNMP to make access to the MIB221-2 at the node
220
-
2
in order to read out a value of a relevant item present in this MIB221-2, thus referencing the information of this node
220
-
2
.
The details of such a prior art network controlling method are specifically disclosed in, for example, “LAN Management with SNMP and RMONP” by Gilbert Held; Tohru Asami, Yoshihiro Itoh, Wataru Kubota; issued by Nikkei BP Publication (ISBN4-8222-8021-7); Jan. 23, 1998; pages 1-22.
Such a prior art network controlling method provides a one-to-many relationship between the EMS210 and the node
220
, thus suffering from a problem that with an increasing number of the nodes
220
managed by the EMS210, the load on the EMS210 increases.
Furthermore, to control all the plurality of nodes
220
managed by the EMS210, it is necessary to simultaneously conduct control by use of the SNMPs for all the nodes
220
through the control line, thus increasing the management traffic.
Further, since the items of the node
220
which can be managed by the EMS210 are limited to the contents regulated by thew MIB221, for example, the side of the EMS210 must conduct control by means of time specification not regulated by the MIB221, thus having a disadvantage that it is impossible to perform processing in closer contact with an application for each of the nodes
220
, for example, network control in strict synchronization with each of the nodes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling a communication control apparatus that can solve those problems.
To solve those problems, a communication control apparatus controlling method of the present invention performs processing as follows in a network system having a plurality of interconnected communication control apparatuses and a network management system for managing these multiple communication control apparatuses.
To change a control mode for a predetermined group among this plurality of communication control apparatuses:
a) this network management system creates an active program which stores an address table of each of the communication control apparatuses belonging to this group and contents of this control mode;
b) this network management system transfers this active program to this group of communication control apparatuses according to this address table; and
c) A communication control apparatuses of this group that has received this active program executes this active program to change the control mode, in which:
c-1) if this control mode is changed successfully, this success is recorded in this address table and then, based on this address table, this active program in this group is transmitted to a communication control apparatus which has not executed it yet; and
c-2) if this control mode could not be changed, a failure is recorded in this active program, which is then transmitted to this network management system.
Another communication control apparatus controlling method of the present invention performs processing as follows in a network system having a plurality of interconnected communication control apparatuses and a network management system for managing this plurality of communication control apparatuses.
To change a control mode for a predetermined group among this plurality of communication control apparatuses:
a) this network management system creates a first active program which stores a first address table of each of the communication control apparatuses belonging to this group;
b) this network management system transmits this first active program to a communication control apparatus of this group according to this first address table;
c) the communication control apparatus of this group that has received this first active program executes this first active program and holds thus changed control mode in a “standby state” to then record in the first address table a fact that this communication control apparatus is holding this changed control mode in the “standby state”, in which:
c-1) based on this first address table, this first active program is transmitted to a communication control apparatus which has not executed this first active program yet, if any in this group; and
c-2) based on this first address table, the first active program is transmitted to this network management system if all the communication control apparatuses have executed this first active program in this group;
d) this communication control apparatus which has received this first active program creates a second active program which stores therein a second address table of each of the communication control apparatuses belonging to this group; and
e) this network management system transfers this second active program to a communication control apparatus in this group based on this second address table; and
f) the communication control apparatus which has received this second active program executes this second active program to switch thus changed control mode from the “standby state” to an “operation state” in order to then record in the second address table a fact that this communication control apparatus is holding this changed control mode in the “standby state”, in which:
f-1) based on this second address table, this active program is transmitted to a communication control apparatus which has not executed this second active program yet, if any in this group; and
f-2) based on this second address table, this second active program is transmitted to this network management system if all the communication control apparatuses have executed this second active program in this group.
Further another communication control apparatus controlling method of the present invention performs processing as follows in a network management system managing this plurality of communication control apparatuses.
To conduct control by use of an active program for a pr
Jean Frantz B.
Oki Electric Industry Co. Ltd.
Sartori Michael A.
Venable LLP
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