Patent US6223218B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6223218B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and method for automatically setting VLAN configuration information
Assignee: NEC Corp
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Filing: 1998-09-04
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Granted: 2001-04-24
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Expires: 2018-09-04
Abstract
Abstract An automatic VLAN configuration information setting system comprising an automatic VLAN configuration information setting device and one or more switching hubs, for setting VLAN configuration information of the switching hubs, is proposed. When a terminal is added to or removed from an Ethernet port of a switching hub by the user, a VLAN alteration request section of the switching hub detects the event, and a VLAN alteration request is transmitted to the automatic VLAN configuration information setting device. In a database of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting device, VLAN detailed information concerning all the VLANs managed by the automatic VLAN configuration information setting device is stored. A VLAN configuration instruction text editing section of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting device edits a VLAN configuration instruction text (an instruction scenario) by referring to the VLAN alteration request and the VLAN detailed information. The VLAN detailed information stored in the database is updated according to the VLAN configuration instruction text, and the VLAN configuration information of the switching hub is updated according to the VLAN configuration instruction text, thereby VLAN configuration information of the switching hubs is automatically set and updated without efforts by network administrators.
Inventors
- 👤 Akio Iijima
- 👤 Yukihiro Yamamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L41/00; H04L41/08; H04L41/0803; H04L41/084; H04L41/0843; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/46; H04L12/4641; H04L41/0813; H04L41/0816; H04L41/0876; H04L41/0886
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
427 words
An automatic VLAN configuration information setting system comprising an automatic VLAN configuration information setting means and one or more switching hubs, wherein: the switching hub includes: a switching hub communication function means which is provided with one or more Ethernet ports to which terminals can be connected; a VLAN alteration request means for generating a VLAN alteration request according to terminal connection information which is supplied from the switching hub communication function means and sending the VLAN alteration request to the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means; a VLAN configuration information storage means for storing VLAN configuration information concerning VLANs in which the switching hub is involved; a VLAN remote update means for receiving a VLAN remote update request which is sent from the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means and updating the VLAN configuration information stored in the VLAN configuration information storage means according to the VLAN remote update request; and a VLAN control means for controlling the switching hub communication function means according to the VLAN configuration information which is stored in the VLAN configuration information storage means, and the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means includes: a VLAN alteration request receiving means for receiving the VLAN alteration request which is sent from the VLAN alteration request means of a switching hub; a database for storing VLAN detailed information of VLANs in which the one or more switching hubs are involved; a database search means for searching the database; a database writing means for executing writing into the database; a VLAN configuration instruction text editing means for editing a VLAN configuration instruction text according to the VLAN alteration request which is supplied from the VLAN alteration request receiving means and results of search for the VLAN detailed information which have been stored in the database using the database search means; a database update means for updating the database by controlling the database writing means according to the VLAN configuration instruction text which is outputted by the VLAN configuration instruction text editing means; a VLAN remote update request editing means for editing a VLAN remote update request which includes information about update of the VLAN configuration information which is stored in the VLAN configuration information storage means of a corresponding switching hub, by referring to the VLAN configuration instruction text which is outputted by the VLAN configuration instruction text editing means; and a VLAN remote update request transmission means for transmitting the VLAN remote update request supplied from the VLAN remote update request editing means into the VLAN remote update means of the corresponding switching hub.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
427 words
An automatic VLAN configuration information setting system comprising an automatic VLAN configuration information setting means and one or more switching hubs, wherein: the switching hub includes: a switching hub communication function means which is provided with one or more Ethernet ports to which terminals can be connected; a VLAN alteration request means for generating a VLAN alteration request according to terminal connection information which is supplied from the switching hub communication function means and sending the VLAN alteration request to the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means; a VLAN configuration information storage means for storing VLAN configuration information concerning VLANs in which the switching hub is involved; a VLAN remote update means for receiving a VLAN remote update request which is sent from the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means and updating the VLAN configuration information stored in the VLAN configuration information storage means according to the VLAN remote update request; and a VLAN control means for controlling the switching hub communication function means according to the VLAN configuration information which is stored in the VLAN configuration information storage means, and the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means includes: a VLAN alteration request receiving means for receiving the VLAN alteration request which is sent from the VLAN alteration request means of a switching hub; a database for storing VLAN detailed information of VLANs in which the one or more switching hubs are involved; a database search means for searching the database; a database writing means for executing writing into the database; a VLAN configuration instruction text editing means for editing a VLAN configuration instruction text according to the VLAN alteration request which is supplied from the VLAN alteration request receiving means and results of search for the VLAN detailed information which have been stored in the database using the database search means; a database update means for updating the database by controlling the database writing means according to the VLAN configuration instruction text which is outputted by the VLAN configuration instruction text editing means; a VLAN remote update request editing means for editing a VLAN remote update request which includes information about update of the VLAN configuration information which is stored in the VLAN configuration information storage means of a corresponding switching hub, by referring to the VLAN configuration instruction text which is outputted by the VLAN configuration instruction text editing means; and a VLAN remote update request transmission means for transmitting the VLAN remote update request supplied from the VLAN remote update request editing means into the VLAN remote update means of the corresponding switching hub.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
119 words
An automatic VLAN configuration information setting system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the VLAN alteration request means in the switching hub includes: a terminal movement detection means for detecting addition or removal of a terminal in the switching hub communication function means and outputting the terminal connection information concerning the addition/removal of the terminal; a VLAN alteration request editing means for editing and outputting the VLAN alteration request according to the terminal connection information supplied from the terminal movement detection means; and a VLAN alteration request transmission means for transmitting the VLAN alteration request outputted by the VLAN alteration request editing means into the VLAN alteration request receiving means of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An automatic VLAN configuration information setting system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the VLAN alteration request generated by the VLAN alteration request means of the switching hub includes: information indicating an Ethernet port to which a terminal has been added or from which a terminal has been removed by the user; information indicating the switching hub; and information indicating a VLAN to which the Ethernet port is related.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
An automatic VLAN configuration information setting system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the VLAN configuration instruction text editing means includes a VLAN status variation means which receives input information which has been edited by the VLAN configuration instruction text editing means based on the VLAN detailed information stored in the database and the VLAN alteration request, edits the VLAN configuration instruction text according to the input information, and manages and varies the statuses of VLANs by outputting the VLAN configuration instruction text.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An automatic VLAN configuration information setting system as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the input information includes addition information which indicates that a terminal has been added to the switching hub.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
An automatic VLAN configuration information setting system as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the addition information includes information indicating whether or not the VLAN designated by the VLAN alteration request has been constructed on the switching hub designated by the VLAN alteration request.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An automatic VLAN configuration information setting system as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the input information includes removal information which indicates that a terminal has been removed from the switching hub.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
An automatic VLAN configuration information setting system as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the removal information includes information about the number of Ethernet ports which are provided in the switching hub designated by the VLAN alteration request and which have been registered in the VLAN designated by the VLAN alteration request.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
172 words
An automatic VLAN configuration information setting system as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the status of the VLAN managed and varied by the VLAN status variation means is classified into: a status indicated by a VLAN status number 0 in which the VLAN managed by the VLAN status variation means has no VLAN components which have actually been registered in the VLAN detailed information; a status indicated by a VLAN status number 1 in which the VLAN managed by the VLAN status variation means has an Ethernet port group as a VLAN component which has actually been registered in the VLAN detailed information and the VLAN has not been constructed across two or more switching hubs; and a status indicated by a VLAN status number 2 in which the VLAN managed by the VLAN status variation means has Ethernet port groups and LECs (Lan Emulation Clients) as VLAN components which have actually been registered in the VLAN detailed information and the VLAN has been constructed across two or more switching hubs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
An automatic VLAN configuration information setting system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the VLAN remote update request transmission means in the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means and the VLAN remote update means in the switching hub execute communication of the VLAN remote update request according to SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol).
Claim 12
Independent Claim
500 words
A method for automatically setting VLAN configuration information of switching hubs in a system which includes an automatic VLAN configuration information setting means and one or more switching hubs, comprising the steps of: a terminal connection information outputting step in which a switching hub communication function means of a switching hub provided with one or more Ethernet ports outputs terminal connection information of terminals which are connected to the Ethernet ports; a VLAN alteration request step in which a VLAN alteration request means of the switching hub generates a VLAN alteration request according to the terminal connection information supplied from the switching hub communication function means and sends the VLAN alteration request to the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means; a VLAN alteration request receiving step in which a VLAN alteration request receiving means of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means receives the VLAN alteration request from the VLAN alteration request means of the switching hub; a VLAN configuration instruction text editing step in which a VLAN configuration instruction text editing means of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means edits a VLAN configuration instruction text according to the VLAN alteration request and results of search of a database of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means which stores VLAN detailed information of VLANs in which the one or more switching hubs are involved; a database update step in which a database update means of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means updates the database according to the VLAN configuration instruction text which is outputted by the VLAN configuration instruction text editing means; a VLAN remote update request editing step in which a VLAN remote update request editing means of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means edits a VLAN remote update request which includes information about update of VLAN configuration information which is stored in a VLAN configuration information storage means of a corresponding switching hub, by referring to the VLAN configuration instruction text which is outputted by the VLAN configuration instruction text editing means; a VLAN remote update request transmission step in which a VLAN remote update request transmission means of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means transmits the VLAN remote update request supplied from the VLAN remote update request editing means into a VLAN remote update means of the corresponding switching hub; a VLAN remote update step in which the VLAN remote update means of the corresponding switching hub receives the VLAN remote update request from the VLAN remote update request transmission means of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means and updates the VLAN configuration information concerning VLANs in which the switching hub is involved which is stored in the VLAN configuration information storage means according to the VLAN remote update request; and a VLAN control step in which a VLAN control means of the switching hub controls the switching hub communication function means of the switching hub according to the VLAN configuration information which is stored in the VLAN configuration information storage means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
500 words
A method for automatically setting VLAN configuration information of switching hubs in a system which includes an automatic VLAN configuration information setting means and one or more switching hubs, comprising the steps of: a terminal connection information outputting step in which a switching hub communication function means of a switching hub provided with one or more Ethernet ports outputs terminal connection information of terminals which are connected to the Ethernet ports; a VLAN alteration request step in which a VLAN alteration request means of the switching hub generates a VLAN alteration request according to the terminal connection information supplied from the switching hub communication function means and sends the VLAN alteration request to the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means; a VLAN alteration request receiving step in which a VLAN alteration request receiving means of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means receives the VLAN alteration request from the VLAN alteration request means of the switching hub; a VLAN configuration instruction text editing step in which a VLAN configuration instruction text editing means of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means edits a VLAN configuration instruction text according to the VLAN alteration request and results of search of a database of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means which stores VLAN detailed information of VLANs in which the one or more switching hubs are involved; a database update step in which a database update means of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means updates the database according to the VLAN configuration instruction text which is outputted by the VLAN configuration instruction text editing means; a VLAN remote update request editing step in which a VLAN remote update request editing means of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means edits a VLAN remote update request which includes information about update of VLAN configuration information which is stored in a VLAN configuration information storage means of a corresponding switching hub, by referring to the VLAN configuration instruction text which is outputted by the VLAN configuration instruction text editing means; a VLAN remote update request transmission step in which a VLAN remote update request transmission means of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means transmits the VLAN remote update request supplied from the VLAN remote update request editing means into a VLAN remote update means of the corresponding switching hub; a VLAN remote update step in which the VLAN remote update means of the corresponding switching hub receives the VLAN remote update request from the VLAN remote update request transmission means of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means and updates the VLAN configuration information concerning VLANs in which the switching hub is involved which is stored in the VLAN configuration information storage means according to the VLAN remote update request; and a VLAN control step in which a VLAN control means of the switching hub controls the switching hub communication function means of the switching hub according to the VLAN configuration information which is stored in the VLAN configuration information storage means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
148 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the VLAN alteration request step includes: a terminal movement detection step in which a terminal movement detection means of the VLAN alteration request means detects addition or removal of a terminal in the switching hub communication function means and outputs the terminal connection information concerning the addition/removal of the terminal; a VLAN alteration request editing step in which a VLAN alteration request editing means of the VLAN alteration request means edits and outputs the VLAN alteration request according to the terminal connection information supplied from the terminal movement detection means; and a VLAN alteration request transmission step in which a VLAN alteration request transmission means of the VLAN alteration request means transmits the VLAN alteration request outputted by the VLAN alteration request editing means into the VLAN alteration request receiving means of the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the VLAN alteration request which is generated in the VLAN alteration request step includes: information indicating an Ethernet port to which a terminal has been added or from which a terminal has been removed by the user; information indicating the switching hub; and information indicating a VLAN to which the Ethernet port is related.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
111 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the VLAN configuration instruction text editing step includes: an input information editing step in which the VLAN configuration instruction text editing means edits input information based on the VLAN detailed information stored in the database and the VLAN alteration request; an input information inputting step in which the VLAN configuration instruction text editing means inputs the input information into its VLAN status variation means; and a VLAN configuration instruction text outputting step in which the VLAN status variation means edits and outputs the VLAN configuration instruction text according to the input information in order to manage and vary the statuses of VLANs.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the input information includes addition information which indicates that a terminal has been added to the switching hub.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the addition information includes information indicating whether or not the VLAN designated by the VLAN alteration request has been constructed on the switching hub designated by the VLAN alteration request.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the input information includes removal information which indicates that a terminal has been removed from the switching hub.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the removal information includes information about the number of Ethernet ports which are provided in the switching hub designated by the VLAN alteration request and which have been registered in the VLAN designated by the VLAN alteration request.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
167 words
A method as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the status of the VLAN managed and varied by the VLAN status variation means is classified into: a status indicated by a VLAN status number 0 in which the VLAN managed by the VLAN status variation means has no VLAN components which have actually been registered in the VLAN detailed information; a status indicated by a VLAN status number 1 in which the VLAN managed by the VLAN status variation means has an Ethernet port group as a VLAN component which has actually been registered in the VLAN detailed information and the VLAN has not been constructed across two or more switching hubs; and a status indicated by a VLAN status number 2 in which the VLAN managed by the VLAN status variation means has Ethernet port groups and LECs (Lan Emulation Clients) as VLAN components which have actually been registered in the VLAN detailed information and the VLAN has been constructed across two or more switching hubs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the VLAN remote update request transmission means in the automatic VLAN configuration information setting means and the VLAN remote update means in the switching hub execute communication of the VLAN remote update request according to SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-04-23 | 2004-10-23 | 2005-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-04-23 | 2008-10-23 | 2009-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-04-23 | 2012-10-23 | 2013-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |