Virtual LAN system

• US 6,085,238 A
• Filed: 04/22/1997
• Issued: 07/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Asahi Matsushita Electric Works Ltd. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Yasuda, Akira, Fujii, Hisataka, Ohno, Masami, Cardona, Mario Jose, Nakano, Junko, Ikezawa, Hideki, Suzaki, Satoru, Yuasa, Hiroyoshi, Satake, Tadashi, Suzuki, Junichi, Yamashita, Koji, Matsuzaki, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Zarni
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINDER, PATRICE L
• Application Number:
  US08/844,791
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 370/401, 370/402, 370/422, 370/409, 395/500, 709/223, 709/228, 709/243
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4641 Virtual LANs, VLANs, e.g. virtual private networks [VPN] LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; encapsulation techniques H04L12/4633; routing of packets H04L45/00; packet switches H04L49/00; virtual private networks for security H04L63/0272
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4645 Details on frame tagging routing of packets H04L45/00; support for virtual LAN H04L49/354

Abstract

A virtual LAN system forms a virtual group which is based on elements having physical attribute or logical attribute and constituting a virtual LAN, sets a client address and priority of the virtual group in a virtual group registration table, and allocates unicast and broadcast traffic bands in group units.

Claims

1. A virtual LAN system, comprising:

a virtual group based on elements having a physical attribute or a logical attribute and constituting a virtual LAN;

a client address and priority of the virtual group set in a virtual group registration table;

unicast and broadcast traffic bands allocated in group units; and

a port segment switching system including;

one or more switching hubs having a plurality of switching hub ports, a packet being transmitted and received in microsegment units to which the switching hub ports belong;

wherein the virtual group of which members are the microsegment units to which the switching hub ports belong function as a virtual repeater; and

wherein the switching hub ports are combined arbitrarily so as to set a common microsegment to the plurality of switching hubs.

2. The virtual LAN system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of segment patterns of microsegments previously registered in each switching hub, the segment patterns being selected by time period or in switching hub units, to form the virtual group of the microsegment, the virtual group having ports set by the segment patterns as members thereof.

3. The virtual LAN system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of link paths are set in each switching hub for daisy-chaining the switching hubs, the virtual group of the microsegments is set to link path, switching hub ports being members of the virtual group, and wherein the virtual group of the plurality of microsegments are multiplexed among the switching hubs.

4. The virtual LAN system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of switching hubs form a plurality of virtual LANs, the virtual group of the microsegments constituting members of the virtual LANs, switching hub ports being members of the virtual group, and a single microsegment or microsegments as members of virtual members are multiplexed among the switching hubs.

5. The virtual LAN system according to claim 4, wherein VLAN-IDs for identifying a plurality of virtual LANs are set, the VLAN-IDs and segment IDs for identifying the virtual group of microsegments to which ports belong are entered in a VLAN management table, and the segment ID is added to a packet between the switching hubs so as to multiplex a single microsegment or microsegments as members of the virtual members among the switching hubs.

6. The virtual LAN system according to claim 1, wherein the local switches for processing routing in virtual LANs as local intranet segments of the virtual LAN system are provided;

and

a local router switch for filtering packets so as to send only internet segment traffic from the local switches to a main router for processing routing in global internet segments.

7. The virtual LAN system according to claim 6, wherein the main router manages network subnets, a gateway is set in the virtual group registration/routing tables contained in the local switches, and a packet entered in the gateway is encapsulated and forwarded to the main router, wherein the packet can be routed to a different local switch and can take part in a common virtual group from a segment in a different subnet.

8. The virtual LAN system according to claim 1,

wherein a plurality of virtual LANs of the virtual LAN system are placed in an intelligent building system for executing communication and control used by a resident, such as an office, a plant, a hospital, or a building in a distributed manner;

network service resources are distributed to a plurality of residential units into which the intelligent building system is divided, so that service for the resident can be provided autonomously under local conditions meeting local requirements;

a local node of each residential unit, into which functions and resources of local network service are integrated, a plurality of local nodes autonomously providing network service;

a center node into which common resources and common network service functions required for use of common building facilities, common service, and centralized management of the entire system are integrated; and

services of the distributed virtual LANs are integrated in the local nodes and the center node.

9. The virtual LAN system according to claim 8, wherein an integrated network service equipment is installed in the center node, and a distributed network service equipment is placed in the local node;

and

building wiring comprises;

backbone wirings connecting the center node and floor integrated wiring closets;

floor trunk lines connecting the floor integrated wiring closets and equipment storage units placed in construction space such as space below a floor that can be accessed from shared space of the building; and

floor branch lines connecting the equipment storage units and zone boxes or outlets;

wherein the local node is the floor integrated wiring closet or the equipment storage unit.

10. The virtual LAN system according to claim 1,

wherein a plurality of virtual LANs of the virtual LAN system are placed in an information communication network environment in a distributed manner;

residential units to which information communication service functions and resources and building facility service functions and resources required for local network service for a resident are distributed, so that network service for the resident in the information communication network environment in a building such as an office, a plant, or a hospital can be provided autonomously under local conditions meeting local requirements;

a local network service server into which network service functions of local information communication service like a virtual network configuration setting a multicast group such as an electronic conference using multimedia or providing virtual common information space different from physical placement through a network and local building facility service like residential environment service such as air conditioning and lighting are integrated;

distributed network service equipment into which communication, control, and monitor functions for providing local information communication resources and building facility resources used as resources for providing the local network service and service for a local resident autonomously under local conditions;

a common network service server into which common information communication service such as access to an internet, WAN connection, and message communication throughout the entire building and common building facility service such as energy saving, building automation, and disaster and crime prevention are integrated;

an integrated network service equipment into which common information communication facility resources and common building facility resources as common network service resources used as resources for providing the common network service and common service resources required for centralized management and communication, control, and monitor functions required for use of common and entire systems, common service, and centralized management are integrated; and

services of the distributed virtual LANs are integrated in the local network service server, distributed network service equipment, common network service server, and integrated network service equipment.

11. The virtual LAN system according to claim 10, wherein the integrated network service equipment is installed in a center node, and the distributed network service equipment is placed in a local node;

and

building wiring comprises;

backbone wirings connecting the center node and floor integrated wiring closets;

floor trunk lines connecting the floor integrated wiring closets and equipment storage units placed in construction space such as space below a floor that can be accessed from shared space of the building; and

floor branch lines connecting the equipment storage units and zone boxes or outlets;

wherein the local node is the floor integrated wiring closet or the equipment storage unit.

12. The virtual LAN system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a port segment switching system including;

one or more switching hubs having a plurality of switching hub ports, a packet being transmitted and received in microsegment units to which the switching hub ports belong;

wherein the virtual group of microsegments of which members are the switching hub ports is formed in such a manner that microsegment units to which the switching hub ports belong function as a virtual repeater;

ports as client address and priority of the microsegment virtual group are set in the virtual group registration table, and unicast and broadcast traffic bands are allocated in group units in the virtual group registration table;

the microsegment virtual group of a connection port is set for a terminal move; and

a virtual group learning circuit executes dynamic automatic configuration management.

13. The virtual LAN system according to claim 1, wherein a user environment can be set in the virtual group registration table and thereby customizing the user environment.

14. A virtual LAN system including a virtual group agent having a virtual group registration table and a virtual group learning circuit;

wherein the virtual group agent forms a virtual group for each terminal based on characteristics of a packet without adding an extra header or tag to the packet and independently of LAN switch ports, sets a client address and priority of the virtual group in the virtual group registration/routing table, and allocates unicast and multicast traffic bands in group units;

wherein the virtual group agent executes dynamic automatic configuration management for a terminal move by the virtual group learning circuit;

wherein the virtual group agents have the virtual group registration/routing table in which the different virtual groups in network management and network service are formed in a virtual network into a plurality of segments;

the virtual group agents customize the network management and the network service dynamically in coordination with users in response to user demands;

wherein connection ports of the virtual groups are distributed to a plurality of switches distributed over a network;

the virtual group registration/routing table and the virtual group agents are placed in the switches in a distributed manner;

utilities comprising building automation utilities of air conditioning, lighting, and security, etc.;

are segmented into the virtual groups; and

the virtual group registration/routing table distributed to the switches is managed dynamically;

the virtual group agents coordinate with each other in response to a request for setting a virtual network related to resource use of a different system from the user; and

wherein a network service of customizing the utilities and automatic configuration for a user is executed.

15. The virtual LAN system according to claim 14, wherein client addresses of the virtual groups and a user environment is set in the virtual group registration/routing table;

the virtual group agents coordinate with each other in automatic response to operations comprising a user'"'"'s network resource use request, a terminal move, addition, and change, segment resources of a different system into virtual groups in coordination with a different system management server, and dynamically manage the virtual group registration/routing table distributed to the switches;

wherein the linkage conditions of the building automation utilities and the utilities of the different system for automatic configuration are customized.

16. The virtual LAN system according to claim 14, wherein connection ports of the virtual groups are distributed to a plurality of switches distributed over a network;

the virtual group registration/routing table and the virtual group agents being distributed among the switches;

the virtual group agents coordinate with each other in automatic response to operations comprising a user'"'"'s network resource use request, a terminal move, addition, and change, in accordance with constraints and rules of conflict detection/negotiation/plan correction/leaning preset for a network environment for the agents so as to dynamically manage the virtual group registration/routing table distributed to the switches;

wherein the network management and network service are customized and automatically configured.

17. The virtual LAN system according to claim 14, wherein connection ports of the virtual groups are distributed to a plurality of switches distributed over a network;

the virtual group agents have three types of agents different in character, virtual network agents, virtual user agents, virtual network service agents;

the virtual group registration/routing table and the virtual network agents are placed in the switches in a distributed manner;

wherein user environment table and the virtual user agents are placed in the switches or terminals in a distributed manner;

virtual network service agents segment resources of a different system into virtual groups and dynamically manage the virtual group registration/routing table distributed to the switches in coordination with virtual network agents and a different system management server; and

wherein the virtual user agents and the virtual network agents distributed to the switches coordinate with each other for customizing the utilities of the different system in response to a virtual network setting request related to resource use of the different system from a user for automatic configuration.

18. The virtual LAN system according to claim 17, wherein the user environment table and virtual user agents are placed in the switches or terminals in a distributed manner;

the virtual network service agent is built in a local network manager of a distributed management system;

the virtual user agent and the virtual network agents distributed to the switches coordinate with each other in automatic response to operations comprising a user'"'"'s network resource use request, a terminal move, addition, and change;

the virtual network service agent dynamically manages the virtual group registration/routing table distributed to the switches in coordination with the virtual network agent and a virtual network management server for managing and operating a multivendor virtual network;

thereby customizing a multivendor integrated virtual network environment in addition to network management conforming to standard for automatic configuration in the local network manager.

19. The virtual LAN system according to claim 17, wherein the user environment table and virtual user agents are placed in the switches or terminals in a distributed manner;

the virtual network service agent is built in a network management manager for integrated management;

the virtual user agent and the virtual network agents distributed to the switches coordinate with each other in automatic response to operations comprising a user'"'"'s network resource use request, a terminal move, addition, and change;

the virtual network service agent dynamically manages the virtual group registration/routing table distributed to the switches in coordination with the virtual network agent and a virtual network management server for managing and operating a multivendor virtual network;

thereby customizing a multivendor integrated virtual network environment in addition to network management conforming to standard for automatic configuration.

20. The virtual LAN system according to claim 17, wherein the user environment table and virtual user agents are placed in the switches or terminals in a distributed manner;

linkage conditions of.building automation utilities and utilities of a different system are set in a user environment setting area;

the virtual user agent and the virtual network agents distributed to the switches coordinate with each other in automatic response to operations comprising a user'"'"'s network resource use request, a terminal move, addition, and change, in accordance with constraints and rules of conflict detection/negotiation/plan correction/learning preset for a network environment for the agents; and

the virtual network agent coordinates with a virtual network management server for dynamically managing the virtual group registration/routing table distributed to the switches;

thereby customizing the linkage conditions of the building automation utilities and the utilities of the different system, autonomously observing the state of each utility, learning an optimum linkage condition for automatic setting thereof.

21. The virtual LAN system according to claim 14, wherein the virtual group agents have the following three types of agents different in character;

virtual network agents, virtual user agents and virtual network service agents;

the virtual network agents are placed in the switches in a distributed manner;

wherein user environment table and the virtual user agents are placed in the switches or terminals in a distributed manner;

virtual network service agents segment resources of a different system into virtual groups and dynamically manage the virtual group registration/routing table distributed to the switches in coordination with virtual network agents and a different system management server; and

wherein the virtual user agents and the virtual network agents distributed to the switches coordinate with each other for customizing the utilities of the different system in response to a virtual network setting request related to resource use of the different system from a user for automatic configuration.

22. The virtual LAN system according to claim 21, wherein the user environment table and virtual user agents are placed in the switches or terminals in a distributed manner;

the virtual network service agent is built in a local network manager of a distributed management system;

the virtual user agent and the virtual network agents distributed to the switches coordinate with each other in automatic response to operations comprising a user'"'"'s network resource use request, a terminal move, addition, and change;

the virtual network service agent dynamically manages the virtual group registration/routing table distributed to the switches in coordination with the virtual network agent and a virtual network management server for managing and operating a multivendor virtual network;

thereby customizing a multivendor integrated virtual network environment in addition to network management conforming to standard for automatic configuration in the local network manager.

23. The virtual LAN system according to claim 21, wherein the user environment table and virtual user agents are placed in the switches or terminals in a distributed manner;

the virtual network service agent is built in a network management manager for integrated management;

the virtual user agent and the virtual network agents distributed to the switches coordinate with each other in automatic response to operations comprising a user'"'"'s network resource use request, a terminal move, addition, and change;

the virtual network service agent dynamically manages the virtual group registration/routing table distributed to the switches in coordination with the virtual network agent and a virtual network management server for managing and operating a multivendor virtual network;

thereby customizing a multivendor integrated virtual network environment in addition to network management conforming to standard for automatic configuration.

24. The virtual LAN system according to claim 21, wherein the user environment table and virtual user agents are placed in the switches or terminals in a distributed manner;

linkage conditions of building automation utilities and utilities of a different system are set in a user environment setting area;

the virtual user agent and the virtual network agents distributed to the switches coordinate with each other in automatic response to operations comprising a user'"'"'s network resource use request, a terminal move, addition, and change, in accordance with constraints and rules of conflict detection/negotiation/plan correction/learning preset for a network environment for the agents; and

the virtual network agent coordinates with a virtual network management server for dynamically managing the virtual group registration/routing table distributed to the switches;

thereby customizing the linkage conditions of the building automation utilities and the utilities of the different system, autonomously observing the state of each utility, learning an optimum linkage condition for automatic setting thereof.

25. The virtual LAN system according to claim 14, wherein the registration/routing tables and the virtual group agents are placed in a network in a distributed manner;

network service functions of local information communication service and building facility service are integrated into a local network service server;

communication, control, and monitor functions for providing local information communication resources and building facility resources and service for a local resident autonomously under local conditions are integrated into a distributed network service equipment;

a common information communication service and common building facility service are integrated into a common network service server;

common information communication facility resources, common building facility resources, and communication, control, and monitor functions required for use of an entire system, common service, and centralized management are integrated into an integrated network service equipment;

local information communication service and local building facility service of utilities comprising building automation utilities, and utilities of a different system, common information communication service, common building facility service, and their linkage conditions can be set in a user environment unit or residential room unit setting area of the virtual group registration/routing table;

the virtual group agents coordinate with each other in automatic response to operations comprising a user'"'"'s network resource use request, a terminal move, addition, and change, and segment the information communication resources and building facility resources into virtual groups and dynamically manage the virtual group registration/routing tables in coordination with the local network service server and the common network service server; and

wherein the linkage conditions of the local and common services are customized for automatic configuration and wherein the network service is provided for the local resident autonomously under local conditions.

26. The virtual LAN system according to claim 14, wherein the virtual group agent comprises virtual network service agent, virtual network agent and virtual user agent;

virtual network service agent, virtual group registration/routing tables, virtual network agents, user environment/residential unit environment table and virtual user agents are distributed in a network;

network service functions of local information communication service and building facility service are integrated into a local network service server;

communication, control, and monitor functions for providing local information communication resources and building facility resources and service for a local resident autonomously under local conditions are integrated into a distributed network service equipment;

a common information communication service and common building facility service are integrated into a common network service server;

common information communication facility resources, common building facility resources, and communication, control, and monitor functions required for use of an entire system, common service, and centralized management are integrated into network service equipment;

local information communication service and local building facility service of utilities comprising building automation utilities, and utilities of a different system, common information communication service, common building facility service, and their linkage conditions can be set in a user environment or residential room unit environment setting area of the table;

the virtual user agents, the virtual network service agents and the virtual network agents distributed to switches coordinate with each other in automatic response to operations comprising a user'"'"'s network resource use request, a terminal move, addition, and change, in accordance with constraints and rules of conflict detection/negotiation/plan correction/learning preset for the agents;

the virtual network service agent dynamically manages the virtual group registration/routing table in coordination with the local network service server and the common network service server;

wherein the linkage conditions of the local and common services are customized, the state of each utility is autonomously observed, optimum linkage conditions are learned, and the conditions are automatically set for providing the network service for the local resident autonomously under local conditions.