WO2001022660A1 - Method and system for self-configuration of a network - Google Patents

Method and system for self-configuration of a network Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001022660A1
WO2001022660A1 PCT/US2000/025114 US0025114W WO0122660A1 WO 2001022660 A1 WO2001022660 A1 WO 2001022660A1 US 0025114 W US0025114 W US 0025114W WO 0122660 A1 WO0122660 A1 WO 0122660A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hub
router
network
routers
providing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/025114
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Edward L. Koch
Thomas Ian Armitage
Original Assignee
Coactive Networks, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Coactive Networks, Inc. filed Critical Coactive Networks, Inc.
Priority to AU73779/00A priority Critical patent/AU7377900A/en
Publication of WO2001022660A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001022660A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
    • H04L41/08—Configuration management of networks or network elements
    • H04L41/0876—Aspects of the degree of configuration automation
    • H04L41/0886—Fully automatic configuration
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
    • H04L41/08—Configuration management of networks or network elements
    • H04L41/0803—Configuration setting
    • H04L41/0813—Configuration setting characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
    • H04L41/0816—Configuration setting characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L45/00—Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks
    • H04L45/02—Topology update or discovery

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to networks, and more particularly to the configuration of the networks.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional network.
  • the network 100 comprises a plurality of subnets 102.
  • the communication between subnets are facilitated by routers
  • the routers 106-1 to 106-6 transmit packets of information between each other and to subnets which they service. These routers are connected together via a network back bone 104.
  • the network 100 may be configured in many different ways to facilitate communication between subnets.
  • One conventional way to ensure that a packet from one router reaches the desired destination is for the router to send this packet to all other routers in the network 100.
  • this traffic is to use a hub architecture.
  • this architecture one of the routers is
  • hub All other routers in the network are non-hubs.
  • hub All other routers in the network are non-hubs.
  • All non-hub routers send packets to the hub only.
  • the hub sends packets to each non-hub router in the network 100. This considerably decreases the amount of traffic on the network 100.
  • the dotted arrows in Figure 1 illustrate the sending of packets when router 106-4 is designated as the hub.
  • Router 106-1 would send a packet from one of its subnets only to the hub 106-4.
  • the hub 106-4 would send a packet from one of its subnets to all of the non-hub routers 106-1, 106-2, 106-3, 106-5, and 106-6 in the network 100.
  • the method and system should be easy to implement and reduce the cost of configuring the network.
  • the present invention addresses such a need.
  • the present invention provides a method and system for self-configuration of a
  • the method includes receiving a change in a hub parameter for at least one router of a plurality of routers in the network, and providing a send list to each of the plurality of routers based upon the change.
  • a hub router is
  • each non-hub router is provided a second send list comprising the address for each hub router.
  • the method and system of the present invention allows a network to automatically configure and reconfigure its architecture whenever a hub parameter changes. Less time and human labor is required over conventional manual configuration methods, which in turn reduces the costs of maintaining the network.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a conventional network.
  • Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a preferred embodiment of a method for self- configuration in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating in more detail the preferred embodiment of a method for self-configuration in accordance with the present invention.
  • the present invention provides a method and system for self-configuration by a network.
  • the following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and
  • FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a preferred embodiment of a method for self- configuration in accordance with the present invention.
  • the server 106-6 receives a change in a hub parameter for a router in the network, via step 210. Each time there is a change in a hub parameter of a router, the server 106-6 is notified of it. Then, the server 106-6 provides a send list to each router in the network based upon the change, via step 220.
  • a send list is a list of addresses to which a router sends packets.
  • FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating in more detail the providing step 220 of
  • the server 106-6 is aware of the address of each router in the network.
  • the server 106-6 receives the change in a hub parameter, via step 210, it first provides a send list comprising the addresses for each non-hub router in the network to the hub, via step 310. With this send list, the hub transmits a packet which it receives to each non-hub router in the network.
  • the server 106-6 also provides a send list
  • each non-hub router sends packets only to the hub.
  • the network may have multiple hubs
  • the send list provided by the server to each non-hub router, in the network comprises the addresses for each of the hubs. With this list, each non-hub router sends packets to each of the hubs only.
  • a method and system for self-configuration by a computer network has been disclosed.
  • the method and system of the present invention allows a network to automatically configure and reconfigure its architecture whenever a hub parameter

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system for self-configuration of a network. The method includes receiving a change in a hub parameter for at least one router of a plurality of routers in the network, and providing a send list to each of the plurality of routers based upon the change. In a preferred embodiment, a hub router is provided a first send list comprising addresses for each non-hub router in the network while each non-hub router is provided a second send list comprising the address for each hub router. The method and system of the present invention allows a network to automatically configure and reconfigure its architecture whenever a hub parameter changes. Less time and human labor is required over conventional manual configuration methods, which in turn reduces the costs of maintaining the network.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELF-CONFIGURATION OF A NETWORK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to networks, and more particularly to the configuration of the networks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 illustrates a conventional network. The network 100 comprises a plurality of subnets 102. The communication between subnets are facilitated by routers
106-1 to 106-6. The routers 106-1 to 106-6 transmit packets of information between each other and to subnets which they service. These routers are connected together via a network back bone 104. One of the routers, for example router 106-6, functions as the configuration server of the network 100. The network 100 may be configured in many different ways to facilitate communication between subnets.
One conventional way to ensure that a packet from one router reaches the desired destination is for the router to send this packet to all other routers in the network 100.
However, this particular architecture may result in the unnecessary processing of packets by routers which do not serve the desired destination. This leads to a waste of valuable
network resources.
Traffic patterns of the network permitting, another conventional way to reduce
this traffic is to use a hub architecture. In this architecture, one of the routers is
designated as a "hub". All other routers in the network are non-hubs. In the hub
architecture, all non-hub routers send packets to the hub only. The hub sends packets to each non-hub router in the network 100. This considerably decreases the amount of traffic on the network 100. For example, the dotted arrows in Figure 1 illustrate the sending of packets when router 106-4 is designated as the hub. Router 106-1 would send a packet from one of its subnets only to the hub 106-4. The hub 106-4 would send a packet from one of its subnets to all of the non-hub routers 106-1, 106-2, 106-3, 106-5, and 106-6 in the network 100.
One important drawback with the hub architecture is the requirement that each router in the network be manually configured. A technician must visit each router and set its configuration parameters. This must be done each time a change in the architecture occurs, for example, when the hub is changed to another router. Typically, the routers are scattered in various locations. This manual method of configuration is cumbersome and costly in human labor.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a method and system for self-configuration
by a network. The method and system should be easy to implement and reduce the cost of configuring the network. The present invention addresses such a need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and system for self-configuration of a
network. The method includes receiving a change in a hub parameter for at least one router of a plurality of routers in the network, and providing a send list to each of the plurality of routers based upon the change. In a preferred embodiment, a hub router is
provided a first send list comprising addresses for each non-hub router in the network
while each non-hub router is provided a second send list comprising the address for each hub router. The method and system of the present invention allows a network to automatically configure and reconfigure its architecture whenever a hub parameter changes. Less time and human labor is required over conventional manual configuration methods, which in turn reduces the costs of maintaining the network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Figure 1 illustrates a conventional network.
Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a preferred embodiment of a method for self- configuration in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating in more detail the preferred embodiment of a method for self-configuration in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention provides a method and system for self-configuration by a network. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and
its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to
other embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles
and features described herein.
The method and system in accordance with the present invention reduces the cost
of configuring a network by providing software on the configuration server such that the network is capable of automatically configuring itself. To more particularly describe the features of the present invention, please refer to Figures 2 and 3 in conjunction with the discussion below.
Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a preferred embodiment of a method for self- configuration in accordance with the present invention. First, the server 106-6 receives a change in a hub parameter for a router in the network, via step 210. Each time there is a change in a hub parameter of a router, the server 106-6 is notified of it. Then, the server 106-6 provides a send list to each router in the network based upon the change, via step 220. A send list is a list of addresses to which a router sends packets.
Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating in more detail the providing step 220 of
Figure 2. Conventionally, the server 106-6 is aware of the address of each router in the network. When the server 106-6 receives the change in a hub parameter, via step 210, it first provides a send list comprising the addresses for each non-hub router in the network to the hub, via step 310. With this send list, the hub transmits a packet which it receives to each non-hub router in the network. The server 106-6 also provides a send list
comprising the address of the hub to each of the non-hub routers in the network, via step
320. With this send list, each non-hub router sends packets only to the hub.
The steps illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 are performed each time the server 106-6
receives a change in a hub parameter for a router. Although the present invention is disclosed with a hub architecture with one hub,
one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the network may have multiple hubs
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. With multiple hubs,
the send list provided by the server to each non-hub router, in the network comprises the addresses for each of the hubs. With this list, each non-hub router sends packets to each of the hubs only.
A method and system for self-configuration by a computer network has been disclosed. The method and system of the present invention allows a network to automatically configure and reconfigure its architecture whenever a hub parameter
changes. Less time and human labor is required over conventional manual configuration methods, which in turn reduces the costs of maintaining the network.
Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the
appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:
1. A method for self-configuration of a network, the network including a plurality of routers, comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving a change in a hub parameter for at least one router of the plurality of routers; and
(b) providing a send list to each of the plurality of routers based upon the change.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing steps (b) comprises:
(bl) providing a first send list comprising addresses for each non-hub router in the network to the at least one router, the at least one router being a hub; and
(b2) providing a second send list comprising an address of the at least one router to each non-hub router in the network.
3. A system, comprising:
a plurality of routers; and a server coupled to the plurality of routers, the server comprising: means for receiving a change in a hub parameter for at least one of the
plurality of routers, and means for providing a send list to each of the plurality of routers based
upon the change.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the providing means comprises: means for providing a first send list comprising addresses for each non-hub router in the network to the at least one router, the at least one router being a hub; and means for providing a second send list comprising an address of the at least one router to each non-hub router in the network.
5. A method for self-configuration of a network, the network including a plurality of routers, comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving a change in a hub parameter for at least one router of the plurality of routers;
(b) providing a first send list comprising addresses for each non-hub router of the plurality of routers to the hub router; and
(c) providing a second send list comprising an address of the hub router to
each non-hub router.
6. A system, comprising: a plurality of routers; and
a server coupled to the plurality of routers, the server comprising: means for receiving a change in a hub parameter for at least one router of
the plurality of routers, means for providing a first send list comprising addresses for each non-
hub router of the plurality of routers to the hub router, and means for providing a second send list comprising an address of the hub router to each non-hub router.
7. A computer readable medium, the computer readable medium comprising program instructions for the self-configuration of a network, the network including a plurality of routers, the instructions for:
(a) receiving a change in a hub parameter for at least one router of the plurality of routers; and
(b) providing a send list to each of the plurality of routers based upon the change.
PCT/US2000/025114 1999-09-23 2000-09-13 Method and system for self-configuration of a network WO2001022660A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU73779/00A AU7377900A (en) 1999-09-23 2000-09-13 Method and system for self-configuration of a network

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US40175099A 1999-09-23 1999-09-23
US09/401,750 1999-09-23

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001022660A1 true WO2001022660A1 (en) 2001-03-29

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
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Country Status (2)

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AU (1) AU7377900A (en)
WO (1) WO2001022660A1 (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5371734A (en) * 1993-01-29 1994-12-06 Digital Ocean, Inc. Medium access control protocol for wireless network
WO1997049214A1 (en) * 1996-06-24 1997-12-24 Netsys Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for network centric problem analysis and topology construction

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5371734A (en) * 1993-01-29 1994-12-06 Digital Ocean, Inc. Medium access control protocol for wireless network
WO1997049214A1 (en) * 1996-06-24 1997-12-24 Netsys Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for network centric problem analysis and topology construction

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Publication number Publication date
AU7377900A (en) 2001-04-24

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