Topology Based Internet Protocol (IP) Addressing
First Claim
1. A method for assigning Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to industrial control devices in a local network group connected to a switch, the local network group being part of an industrial control network connected to a router, the method comprising:
- (a) providing starting address information to a first device in the local network group, the starting address information including;
(i) an IP subnet address for the router; and
(ii) a group device identifier for distinguishing the first device from other devices in the local network group, the group device identifier initially indicating that the first device is positioned first in the local network group;
(b) sending an addressing command message from the first device to a second device in the local network group, the addressing command message including the IP subnet address and the group device identifier for the first device;
(c) determining a position for the second device in the local network group and updating the group device identifier in the addressing command message to produce an updated group device identifier for the second device; and
(d) determining an IP address for the second device by applying the IP subnet address and the updated group device identifier to produce the IP address.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
IP addresses may be allocated to devices in an industrial control system by applying starting address information in combination with each device'"'"'s relative position in a local network. The starting address information, which may include an IP subnet address, gateway address, subnet mask, subnet size, and/or local network group identifier, may be provided to a first positioned, or “initiator,” device in a local network. The initiator device may determine its IP address by applying the starting address information and knowledge of being the first positioned device. The initiator device may send the position information and at least a portion of the starting address information to a next device, which may determine its relative position based on the received position information, and which may apply its relative position with the portion of the starting address information to determine its IP address. This process may continue sequentially for each device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for assigning Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to industrial control devices in a local network group connected to a switch, the local network group being part of an industrial control network connected to a router, the method comprising:
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(a) providing starting address information to a first device in the local network group, the starting address information including; (i) an IP subnet address for the router; and (ii) a group device identifier for distinguishing the first device from other devices in the local network group, the group device identifier initially indicating that the first device is positioned first in the local network group; (b) sending an addressing command message from the first device to a second device in the local network group, the addressing command message including the IP subnet address and the group device identifier for the first device; (c) determining a position for the second device in the local network group and updating the group device identifier in the addressing command message to produce an updated group device identifier for the second device; and (d) determining an IP address for the second device by applying the IP subnet address and the updated group device identifier to produce the IP address. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An industrial control system comprising:
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a router; a switch connected to the router; and first and second devices connected in a local network group, the local network group being connected to the switch, wherein the first device is operable to receive starting address information including; (i) an IP subnet address for the router; and (ii) a group device identifier for distinguishing the first device from other devices in the local network group, the group device identifier initially indicating that the first device is positioned first in the local network group, wherein the first device is further operable to execute a program stored in a non-transient medium operable to send an addressing command message to the second device in the local network group, the addressing command message including the IP subnet address and the group device identifier for the first device, and wherein the second device is operable to execute a program stored in a non-transient medium operable to; (a) determine a position for the second device in the local network group and update the group device identifier in the addressing command message to produce an updated group device identifier for the second device; and (b) determine an IP address for the second device by applying the IP subnet address and the updated group device identifier to produce the IP address. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An industrial control system comprising:
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a router; a switch connected to the router; and first and second devices connected in a local network group, the local network group being connected to the switch, wherein the first device is operable to receive starting address information including; (i) an IP subnet address for the router; and (ii) a group device identifier for distinguishing the first device from other devices in the local network group, the group device identifier initially indicating that the first device is positioned first in the local network group, wherein the first device is further operable to execute a program stored in a non-transient medium operable to send an addressing command message to the second device in the local network group, the addressing command message including the IP subnet address and the group device identifier for the first device, and wherein the second device is operable to execute a program stored in a non-transient medium operable to; (a) determine a position for the second device in the local network group and update the group device identifier in the addressing command message to produce an updated group device identifier for the second device; (b) send the updated group device identifier to an address assigning device for applying the IP subnet address and the updated group device identifier to produce an IP address; and (c) receive the IP address from the address assigning device. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification