DE102014212037A1 - Network system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a network system comprising
At least a first end point (N ₃ ; N ₆ ) and a second end point (N ₂ , N ₆ , N ₄ , N ₅ , N ₁ , N ₂ , N ₃ , N ₄ , N ₅ , N ₁ ) and
At least one central entity (ZI) within the network,
Wherein the first end points (N ₁ , N ₂ , N ₃ , N ₄ , N ₅ , N ₆ ) have access to the network system via one or more access nodes (G ₁ , G ₂ , G ₃ ),
Where simultaneous access via more than one access node (G ₁ , G ₃ ) is possible through end points (N ₆ ),
Wherein the central entity (ZI) within the network undertakes the routing of data to the first endpoint (N ₆ ) to the second endpoint (N ₂ , N ₃ , N ₄ , N ₅ , N ₁ ),
Wherein data of the first end point (N ₆ ), which have been forwarded by both a first access node (G ₁ ) and a second access node (G ₃ ) to the central entity (ZI), recognized by the central entity (ZI) as a doublet and only once to the second endpoint (N ₂ , N ₃ , N ₄ , N ₅ , N ₁ ).

Description

Background of the invention

Various network systems are known from the prior art.

In particular, network systems are known that provide a point-to-point connection, often as a point-to-point (PtP) connection. Conventional local communication networks that go beyond the functionality of a pure point-to-point connection usually work as in 1 exemplified. In this case, end points N ₁ , N ₂ , N _{3 are connected} in such a network system via one or more central elements G ₁ . These central elements G ₁ , G ₂ often carry the term routers or gateways due to their task.

A necessary component in such networks is that the respective network protocol provides a method with which an endpoint N ₄ newly entering the network system determines its responsible gateway / router - here G ₁ - to communicate with this gateway. Router G ₁ connects and thus becomes part of the network system by G ₁ . This is especially the case with wireless networks. By way of example, for example, the endpoints N ₁ , N ₂ , N ₃ , N _{4 could be} WLAN clients that connect to an access point and communicate with each other via this.

It should be noted that the local communication is limited to the respective network system of the access point or the gateway. In the example of 1 There are two network systems, wherein the first network system to the access point G ₁ and the second network system is formed around the access point G ₂ .

The endpoints of the respective network systems can each communicate with each other, ie N ₁ can communicate with N ₂ , N ₃ and N ₄ . However, a communication in other network systems, ie from N ₁ to N ₅ or N _{6 is} not possible. Typically, this requires additional network components that provide a connection between the two network systems. This is especially necessary if an endpoint does not have the physical ability to connect to another network, eg due to lack of reach. For example, as shown by the dashed line, N ₅ would be able to integrate with the other network system, but N _{6 would} not. In addition, there is often a constraint in the network protocol that each endpoint may only be included in a network system - often also referred to as logged in.

Although initially described with respect to wireless network systems, similar, similar, or similar problems may also be experienced with wired network systems, such as e.g. Powerline networks, occur.

Furthermore, network systems are known from the prior art, which allow a further meshing, as in 2 shown. In this case, several routers G ₁ , G ₂ , G _{3 can} exist in a network system. The associated network protocol ensures that the routers G ₁ , G ₂ , G ₃ know each other as such and thus form a common network system. In this network, the individual endpoints can then communicate with each other through the routers or with their help due to the network protocol. An exemplary network system and associated protocol is eg ZigBee.

However, these known network systems also have disadvantages. On the one hand, the structure of the network protocols required for the communication is very complex. This is due, for example, to the fact that central coordination of the overall network is necessary. This task is typically performed by a router - here G ₁ - as a coordinator - indicated by C in the figure. One of the central coordination tasks is the routing of routing tables, which reflect the physical conditions of the network with respect to the accessibility of the individual network elements. It should be noted, however, that as network complexity increases, administrative tasks increase dramatically. Again, it can also come back to the case that subsystems are formed because it lacks the necessary range, ie, a communication from N ₁ to N ₁₁ would not be possible.

Brief description of the invention

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an alternative network system that avoids a disadvantage or several disadvantages of the prior art.

The object is achieved by a network system which has at least a first endpoint and a second endpoint and at least one central entity within the network. The first endpoints have access to the network system via one or more access nodes, with simultaneous access through more than one access node through endpoints. The central entity within the network handles the routing of data to the first endpoint to the second endpoint, with data of the first endpoint being sent from both a first access node and a second access node to the first endpoint central instance, be recognized by the central entity as a doublet, and sent only once to the second endpoint.

In one embodiment of the invention, the network system comprises at least one repeater, the repeater appearing like an access node to an endpoint.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, data will be sent in data packets, the data packets each having an identifier on the basis of which duplicates can be recognized.

In a further development of this embodiment, the identifier is unique.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the transmission from the end points to the access nodes and vice versa takes place stateless.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, in case the second endpoint can be reached via more than one access node, data is sent to the second endpoint (N ₆ , N ₃ ) over at least a portion of the more than one access node (G ₁ , G ₂ , G ₃ ) forwarded to the second endpoint.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the second endpoint recognizes data of the first endpoint which has been forwarded by both a first access node and a second access node as a doublet.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, endpoints that have a common access point exchange data via this access point without forwarding to the central entity.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the access nodes and / or repeaters communicate data to the central entity which permits localization of an endpoint using the access point and / or repeater, the data being selected from a group having reception field strength, signal quality , Bit error rate, timestamp, or a combination of one or more of the foregoing.

According to a further embodiment, if the second endpoint can be reached via more than one access node, data is forwarded to the second endpoint via at least one of the access nodes to the second endpoint, wherein the selection of the access node or the access node on hand the data transmitted by the access nodes or repeaters to the central entity takes place.

Brief description of the figures

Hereinafter, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures, in which

1 shows a first example of a prior art network system,

2 shows a second example of a network system of the prior art, and

3 shows a schematic example of different embodiments and aspects according to the invention.

Detailed description

Embodiments and aspects of the invention will be described below with reference to FIG 3 be explained.

As far as the singular is used below, the plural is usually included. Furthermore, as far as embodiments are illustrated below, any aspects of an embodiment are readily usable in other embodiments as well, unless explicitly excluded as an alternative.

In a network system according to embodiments of the invention, a plurality of endpoints N ₁ , N ₂ , N ₃ , N ₄ , N ₅ , N _{6 may} be interconnected.

It is in 3 only an exemplary number of endpoints shown and the invention is by no means limited to this arrangement.

At least one central entity ZI is provided in a network system according to the invention, the function of which will be explained in more detail below.

The endpoints are provided with each other via access nodes G ₁ , G ₂ , G ₃ with access to the network system. The individual endpoints can record with one or more access nodes G ₁ , G ₂ , G ₃ connection to the network system.

For example, in 3 the end point N ₆ has access to the network system via both the access node G ₁ and the access node G ₃ . Likewise, the end point N ₃ can receive access to the network system via further elements, which are explained below, via the access node G ₂ as well as the access node G ₃ .

Of particular importance is that the network system allows simultaneous access to the network system via multiple access nodes. This has some advantages, which are also explained in more detail below.

Within the network system, the central entity ZI generally handles the routing of data from any of the endpoints (source endpoint) to any other destination (sink endpoint). For example, from a first endpoint N _6, a message to the second endpoint N _{2 can} be made such that the data is received via the access nodes G ₁ and G ₃ and forwarded to the central entity ZI. The central entity recognizes the destination of the data and forwards it via the access node G ₂ to the second endpoint N ₂ . It depends on the further design of the network, which is shown as a cloud Cl, for the further understanding of the invention not.

In this case, data of the first end point N ₆ , which have been forwarded both from a first access node G ₁ and a second access node G ₃ to the central entity ZI, are recognized by the central entity ZI as a doublet. If a duplicate is detected, the corresponding data will only be sent once to the second endpoint N ₂ . Duplicate recognition can be carried out in a variety of ways, it being possible, for example, to store unique identifiers for a specific period of time or to generate a hash as an identifier and to save it for a time or to store the data itself for a certain period of time. Certain lifetimes may be predetermined, so that data older than a certain period of time may be discarded.

That With the presented network architecture, it is possible to forward a message to the central entity ZI via several paths, without this leading to a conflict. This significantly increases the security that a message reaches the central instance ZI. This is particularly advantageous in so-called connectionless transmission.

In this case, the invention adopts that the central entity ZI is connected to all access nodes. In this respect, the central instance ZI can perform functions of classical local network protocols as well as provide additional functionalities that would otherwise not be available in local networks. Thus, the endpoints N ₁ and N ₆ and the access point G _{1 can be} considered as a first local area network, while the endpoints N ₆ , N ₅ , N ₄ and N ₃ and the access point G ₃ as a second local area network and the endpoints N ₂ and N ₃ and the access point G _{2 can be} considered as a third local area network. This means that while previously the local networks only permitted communication within their own network, it is now possible to connect the local networks via the central instance.

That The invention also describes a local communication protocol which has a universal, central communication connection via one (or more) central entity (s). The presence of the central entity (s) removes some of the abandonment of traditional local communication protocols; other functions can be realized additionally or for the first time effectively.

The communication protocol or network system described in the context of this invention is based on the idea that the access nodes in the network have the connection to a central instance. Each access point has this connection, and as a consequence, each access point implicitly knows that each endpoint is reachable over the network (mediated by the central instance), as long as the endpoint is reachable via at least one access point.

Thus, a fixed assignment of an end point to a competent access point, as is known from the prior art, no longer necessary. Since, in principle, each access point is suitable for communicating to any other endpoint, from an end point of view, it is only necessary to find "any" access point. Thus, elaborate algorithms for detecting a "competent" or if multiple access points could be responsible, a best accessible or otherwise most suitable (best QoS, etc.) access node omitted.

Since the network system is extremely robust and simple, the complexity of the network protocol, especially in the endpoints as well as in the access nodes, can be dramatically reduced. Since the endpoints are present in a much higher number than access points or as central instances, this advantage is very noticeable. Reduced complexity is particularly advantageous in the case of wireless end points, since in this way less energy has to be used for the communication and thus, for example, in the case of battery-operated components, the service life can be extended.

In this case, the network system and the corresponding network protocol can be so simple that a terminal only has to make contact with some endpoint in some form and does not require further log-on. Ie login procedures, such as Bluetooth or similar protocols are required are optional in the invention at best.

Complexity is also reduced in the access points, since in addition to the connection to the central instance, this only has to manage all endpoints connected to the respective access point. Both "directly" connected endpoints and other endpoints, e.g. via a repeater of an access point, "indirectly" connected.

Since the network system is set up to detect duplicates and allows access via a large number of access points, adding additional access points can improve the robustness / reliability of the network system through redundancy. This is a decisive advantage, especially in time-critical and / or system-critical applications. Thus, in a suitable embodiment even "real-time" requirements can be fulfilled.

Duplicate mailing is generally not possible with state-of-the-art networks, but on the contrary often counterproductive, since now the information is present twice, reducing the network capacity at least down to the central instance and is therefore usually as early as possible (active) prevented.

In a further aspect of the invention, it is also possible to use repeaters. These repeaters may be relatively simple in that they merely repeat the received signals. That a repeater forwards the signals of all end points communicating with it as well as all access nodes communicating with it alternately. Because of this simple design, there is no need for any further logic, so that these repeaters can be provided inexpensively.

The repeater appears opposite the endpoints that are connected to it, such as the access node accessible by the repeater. That is, the end point N ₄ sees in the repeater R ₂ the access node G ₃ while the end point N ₃ in the repeater R ₁ additionally also sees the access node G ₂ .

In a further embodiment, the repeaters are each associated with exactly one access node. Such a case can eg in the 3 be seen. There, the repeater R _{1 is associated with} the access node G ₂ and the repeater R _{2 with} the access node G ₃ .

Again, the repeater appears opposite the endpoints associated with it, such as the access node accessible by the repeater. That is, the end point N ₄ sees in the repeater R ₂ the access node G ₃ while the end point N ₃ in the repeater R ₁ additionally also sees the access node G ₂ .

Obviously, multiple repeaters may also form a chain with respect to one or more access nodes.

However, an unambiguous assignment can be advantageous if the end points allow local access to an access node and to a (associated) repeater connected to it. This means that the end point N6 could exchange data directly with the end point N ₄ via the access node G ₃ and the repeater R ₂ , ie without routing via the central entity ZI.

The invention can be used particularly advantageously with packet-oriented data. These usually have an identifier, with the help of doublets can be detected. The identifier does not necessarily have to be globally unique. Also, the uniqueness may also result from other features such as source and destination address, timestamp, sequence number or the like.

The invention can be used particularly advantageously if the transmission from the end points N ₁ , N ₂ , N ₃ , N ₄ , N ₅ , N ₆ to the access nodes G ₁ , G ₂ , G ₃ and vice versa is stateless. In this case, the possible redundancy can increase the security of the transmission.

In an embodiment, it may also be provided that the central entity now also distributes data that it receives from an endpoint via one or more access points via more than one access node to the destination endpoint. For example, the endpoint N ₆ may forward data to the endpoint N ₃ via the access node G ₁ or G ₃ to the central entity ZI. The central entity ZI can now recognize the doublet and discard the following identical data. Based on the knowledge that a specific endpoint can be reached via more than one access node, the central authority can now decide on the basis of very different parameters whether the data should only be forwarded to the endpoint via one or just several or even all access points. This decision may depend, for example, on the priority of data, the age of the data, latencies, transmission quality, service level agreements, etc. Ie in the example of 3 For example, the central entity may decide whether to route the data to the endpoint N ₃ via the access node G ₂ and / or G ₃ . Further parameters will be given below in addition.

Now, the destination endpoint should also be able to recognize data from the source endpoint, which has been forwarded by both a first access node and a second access node, as a doublet. Here, the same mechanisms as previously explained with respect to the central instance ZI can be used.

As already indicated, it may also be advantageous to allow local routing. For example, the endpoint N6 could then send data to the endpoint N ₄ via the access node G ₃ and the repeater R ₂ . This could reduce the network load within the network as well as in the central instance ZI. In addition, it would not be necessary to perform a doublet recognition within the local network formed herewith.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the respective access nodes and / or repeaters transmit data to the central entity, which make it possible to localize the access nodes. For example, latency data, time stamps, bit error rates, number of hops or, in the case of wireless connections, reception field strength, signal quality or combinations thereof can be used, the list not being conclusive.

The localization can be used for a wide variety of purposes. First, it allows it e.g. to locate mobile endpoints, e.g. In the case of machine-to-machine communication it is of interest, or it can be used to localize people or to derive personal densities, the generation of position-related services, but it can also be used for routing.

The quality of localization data can be improved by increasing the number and thus the density of the access nodes and repeaters (if provided). Since, in contrast to conventional networks, the routing logic within the network is not directly influenced, this is easily possible.

The invention can be used for both wireless and wired networks. In particular, in addition to an original operation, an overlay operation over existing networks and network protocols is possible.

Without further ado, the central instance ZI and the network Cl as in 3 also be understood as a cloud and a cloud service. However, this is not a limiting shape.

As far as a "simultaneous" access has been described above, it can not be concluded from this that actually access to exactly the same time is meant.

Rather, the term is to be understood as meaning that it is allowed by principle to be able to access the network via several accesses. This can be configured both at the same time and in chronological succession.

Furthermore, although communication to an endpoint on the edge of the network has generally been presented above another access node, it is equally possible with endpoints within the network, i. within the cloud Cl, to exchange data.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• N ₁ , N ₂ , N ₃ , N ₄ , N ₅ , N ₆ , N ₇ , N ₈ , N ₁₁ , N ₁₂

  endpoint

  G ₁ , G ₂ , G ₃

  access node

  ZI

  central instance

  R ₁ , R ₂

  repeater

  C

  coordinator

  Cl

  network

Claims (10)

Network system, comprising • at least one first end point (N ₃ ; N ₆ ) and a second end point (N ₂ , N ₆ , N ₄ , N ₅ , N ₁ , N ₂ , N ₃ , N ₄ , N ₅ , N ₁ ) and • at least one central entity (ZI) within the network, wherein the first endpoints (N ₁ , N ₂ , N ₃ , N ₄ , N ₅ , N ₆ ) are accessed via one or more access nodes (G ₁ , G ₂ , G ₃ ) having access to the network system, where simultaneous access via more than one access node (G ₁ , G ₃ ) is possible through endpoints (N ₆ ), where the central entity (ZI) within the network is the routing of data to the first End point (N ₆ ) to the second end point (N ₂ , N ₃ , N ₄ , N ₅ , N ₁ ) assumes, • where data of the first end point (N ₆ ), which from both a first access node (G ₁ ) and a second access node (G ₃ ) have been forwarded to the central entity (ZI), are recognized by the central entity (ZI) as a doublet and only once to the second endpoint (N ₂ , N ₃ , N ₄ , N ₅ , N ₁ ). A network system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one repeater (R ₁ , R ₂ ), the repeater associated with and associated with a particular access node (G ₃ , G ₂ ), the repeater facing an endpoint (N ₃ , N ₄ ), as the particular access node (G ₃ , G ₂ ) appears. A network system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein data is sent in data packets, the data packets each having an identifier by means of which doublets can be recognized. Network system according to claim 3, characterized in that the identifier is unique. Network system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission from the end points (N ₁ , N ₂ , N ₃ , N ₄ , N ₅ , N ₆ ) to the access nodes (G ₁ , G ₂ , G ₃ ) and vice versa statelessly done. Network system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in case the second end point (N ₆ , N ₃ ) can be reached via more than one access node (G ₁ , G ₂ , G ₃ ), data is sent to the second end point (N ₆ , N ₃ ) are forwarded to the second endpoint via at least part of the more than one access node (G ₁ , G ₂ , G ₃ ). Network system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second endpoint data of the first endpoint, which have been forwarded by both a first access node and a second access node from the second endpoint (N ₆ , N ₃ ) are recognized as a doublet. Network system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that end points (N ₆ , N ₁ , N ₆ , N ₅ ) which have a common access point can exchange data via this access point without forwarding to the central entity. A network system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the access nodes and / or repeaters transmit data to the central entity permitting localization of an endpoint using the access point and / or repeater, the data being selected from a group Receive field strength, signal quality, bit error rate, timestamp, or a combination of one or more of the foregoing. A network system according to claim 8, characterized in that in case the second endpoint can be reached via more than one access node, data is forwarded to the second endpoint via at least one of the access nodes to the second endpoint, the selection of the access node or the access node Hand the data transmitted from the access nodes or repeaters to the central entity takes place.

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