WO2003017601A1

WO2003017601A1 - An apparatus connected multi ip broadband line and packet routing method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2003017601A1
Application number: PCT/KR2002/001562
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sung-Hak Choi; Jung-Hoon Kim; Gug-Yong Cho
Original assignee: Smallbig Technology Inc.
Priority date: 2001-08-18
Filing date: 2002-08-19
Publication date: 2003-02-27

Abstract

This present invention aims to provide an apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines and packet routing method thereof, which is transferring packet of said Internet user via at least equal one communication line to be inspected and selected among said a plurality of communication line when Internet user requests Internet connection. This present invention in order to achieve said purpose provides an apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines and packet routing method thereof, comprising several steps of (a) acquiring bandwidth information of every communication line; (b) detecting said traffic status of corresponding communication line as result of ping response time by implementing ping test to said every communication line; and ( c ) transferring said distributed packet data to communication line with less amount of current traffic than maximum traffic by checking said communication lines when said user computer requests packet data. Furthermore, this present invention in order to achieve said purpose provides an apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines and packet routing method thereof, characterized as comprising: the step establishing maximum receivable traffic amount to each communication line by acquiring bandwidth information of said every communication line; and the step transferring distributed packet data to a plurality of communication lines by using packet mark of iptables available in OS kernel at departure point.

Description

AN APPARATUS CONNECTED MULTI IP BROADBAND LINE AND PACKET ROUTING METHOD THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to the apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines and packet routing method thereof with at least one user computer.

More specifically, it is the apparatus and it's packet routing method supporting the function which firstly searches and secondly chooses at least one line among a plurality of network lines whenever an Internet user requests Internet connection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the conventional Internet network connection method through the Internet user computer. Many computers(lθl) are cormected to the hub performing switch function. The hub(102) itself is connected to router(103). Needless to say, computers can be directly connected to router(103). In this case, Internet user can expect higher data transfer speed and stability with the case of router compared to the case of hub(102) connected to many computers. The said router(103) connects to the Internet network line(dedicated line, xDSL, PSTN, Cable TV line, Power line etc.) externally as well as to a plurality of user computer through LAN(Local Area Network) internally.

In the case of dedicated line for Internet communication, the Internet user only can access the Internet with the dedicated line through the DSU(digital service unit) or CSU(channel service unit)(104). Besides, in the case of xDSL or Cable TV line, the Internet user can access the Internet with the hub and xDSL modem or cable modem.

Theoretically, in the aspect of communication speed and network stability, it is said that adopting a plurality of low-cost and low-speed network lines is more effective and economical rather than in adopting only one high-cost and high-speed network line. However, the said router(103) supporting only one external network line can not be connected to a plurality of network lines. Besides, Internet user tends not to choose high speed network line as always in the practical reason because the network communication speed and cost are inseparably related to each other. The connection device connected to a plurality of user computers and two different communication lines to solve the problems mentioned above, has been aimed not only for connecting two different Internet connection lines but also for distributing network traffic to those Internet lines.

For those conventional connection devices, SBRP(source base routing protocol) or DBRP(destination base routing protocol) has been used in routing methodology to assign Internet user's packet data to two different network lines.

First of all, SBPR(source base routing protocol) routing methodology classifies Internet users using Internet connection on the network as category and transfers generated packet data out of those groups through gateway connected specific communication line, when many Internet users try to connect Internet as using a plurality of communication lines on network.

This could be somewhat effective when every Internet user consumes same Internet access amount and time. However, in most cases, this SBPR(source base routing protocol) routing methodology can not cope effectively with network condition which varies continuously with Internet access time by Internet users and Internet traffic at that time.

Secondly, DBPR(destination base routing protocol) routing methodology analyzes Internet destination address of packet data on the network and transfers packet data according to destination basis to specific communication gateway when many Internet users try to connect Internet as using a plurality of communication lines on network.

Similarly in the case of SBPR, this DBPR(destination base routing protocol) routing methodology can not cope effectively with network condition. As an example, if so many Internet users access one specific web site, it may cause so much network traffic on the specific communication line and drop the communication speed drastically, while other communication lines become idle. Consequently, this DBPR(destination base routing protocol) could be inefficient, as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a block diagram that illustrates conventional Internet connection method,

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram that illustrates Internet connection method using apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines according to an embodiment of this present invention, FIG. 3 shows a configuration block diagram of apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines according to an embodiment of this present invention,

FIG. 4 shows an internal configuration block diagram of central processing unit shown in FIG.3, FIG.5 and FIG.6 show a flowchart that depicts the packet routing method for apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines according to an embodiment of this present invention.

* BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PARTS IN THE DRAWINGS * 301 : Central Processing Unit 302 : Flash ROM

303 : RAM 304 : Internal BUS

305, 306, 307 : Network Interface Card(NIC)

308, 309, 310, 315 : Transformer

311, 312, 313 : communication line connector 314 : Switching part

316 : Computer/Hub connector 41 : Ping module

42 : Disconnecting and switching module 43 : Completion moudle

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method for packet routing and apparatus for a plurality of broadband communication lines which analyzes corresponding communication bandwidth of each communication line, each network traffic state as soon as an Internet user requests Internet access.

Also, in the case of apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines connection, which is applicable to support a plurality of communication lines connection and at least one user computer, this apparatus enables to distribute packet data on the network and transfer to a plurality of communication line at the departure point when an Internet user request data to web server, if the line traffic for corresponding data exceeds setting value for line traffic. At the destination point, this present invention is an apparatus and it's packet routing methodology to transfer packet data to destination Internet user by the way of combining packet data from distributed packet data coming from a plurality of communication lines.

To achieve goal mentioned above, this present invention comprises central processing unit including several modules such as ping module checking every each communication line status by the way of ping test, disconnecting and switching module distributing packet data to reduce line traffic if the amount of user computer data traffic exceeds maximum set value to be assigned and transferring; and memory unit including Flash ROM storing routing function code in compressed format and RAM which stores decompressed code for routing function code and provides to central processing unit; and a plurality of network interface cards being connected in accordance with said a plurality of communication lines as well as connected said central processing unit via internal bus, and communication line connection part including a plurality of transformers implementing signal interface function between said each network interface card and said communication line; and switching part being connected said central processing unit via internal bus and providing internal speed to said central processing unit by disconnecting and switching, if necessary, and user computer connection part comprising transformer implementing signal interface function between at least one user computer and said switching part.

This present invention in order to achieve said purpose provides an apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines and packet routing method thereof, characterized as comprising: the step acquiring bandwidth information of every communication line; the step detecting said traffic status of said communication line; and the step transferring said distributed packet data to communication line with less amount of current traffic than maximum traffic by checking said optimal communication lines in the aspect of said bandwidth and traffic when said user computer requests packet data, wherein an apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines which supports both connecting a plurality of communication lines and at least one user computer is provided.

Preferably, checking traffic condition may be considered as checking corresponding traffic line by the way of using ping response time to all communication line.

This present invention in order to achieve said purpose provides an apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines and packet routing method thereof, characterized as comprising: the step establishing maximum receivable traffic amount to each communication line by acquiring bandwidth information of said every communication line; and the step transferring said distributed packet data to communication line with less amount of current traffic than maximum traffic by checking said communication lines when said user computer requests packet data, wherein an apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines and routing method thereof which supports both connecting a plurality of communication lines and at least one user computer is provided.

Preferably, transferring data packet with each communication line may be considered as transferring data packet to a plurality of communication lines by the way of using packet mark in available iptables of OS(Operating System) kernel.

Preferably, it may be transferred to said user computer after bonding distributed a plurality of data packets coming from the said a plurality of communication lines.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, "An apparatus connected multi IP broadband line and packet routing method thereof will be explained in detail according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.2 shows Internet connection method for apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus(204) supporting a plurality of communication line, transferring data traffic from a plurality of user computers through at least one communication line comprises a plurality of computer connectors and communication line connector(not shown).

A plurality of user computers (201, 203) mentioned above are connected both to computer connector and hub(202). Otherwise, a plurality of user computers are directly connected to computer connector attached to an apparatus (204) supporting a plurality of communication lines without being connected to hub(202).

Also, high speed WAN communication lines (Linel, Line2, Line3) such as dedicated line in order to access Internet, xDSL, cable TV line, power line cable(PLC) etc. can be connected to communication line connector attached to an apparatus(204) supporting a plurality of communication lines.

This apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines transfers data traffic caused by an unspecified user computer or a plurality of user computers, either through one specific communication line or through a plurality of communication lines distributed properly.

FIG. 3 shows an internal configuration block diagram shown in FIG. 2 for an apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines. This apparatus(204) supporting a plurality of communication lines comprises central processing unit(301), memory unit including Flash ROM(302) and RAM(303) and communication line connection units(305~313), computer connection units(314—316). Central processing unit(301) mentioned above comprises RISC CPU operated by Linux(or Windows) as OS(operating system) and Flash ROM embedding OS code and routing firmware.

Also, the said central processing unit(301) comprises ping module(41) to examine each communication line state by implementing ping test to the said all communication line, disconnecting and switch module(42) implementing functions such as transferring user packet data to optimal communication line by the bandwidth information and traffic status after ping test, distributing user packet data to another communication line if a specific communication line exceeds it's traffic limit set-up, and completion module(43) which performs completion function not to use another communication line if a specific communication line recovers it's bandwidth and traffic limit set-up.

The said memory unit comprises Flash ROM(302) which embeds operating system and routing function code in the form of compression and RAM(303), firstly, decompressing code out of Flash ROM(302) embedding operating system and routing function code in the form of compression, secondly, providing decompressed code to the said central processing unit while temporarily storing it's data in RAM(303).

The said communication line connection means(304~313) which supports a plurality of communication lines connected to both central processing unit(301) and internal bus(304) comprises a plurality of NICs(network interface card : referred to hereinafter as "NIC")(305, 306, 307) connected to central processing unit through internal bus(304), a plurality of transformers(308, 309, 310) to implement signal interface function between each NIC and communication line and a plurality of communication line connectors(311, 312, 313) to connect communication lines. The said computer connection means(314~316) which use ISA, Mil,

PCI, or other bus formats as internal bus supports computers connected through hub or directly to a plurality of communication lines.

The said communication connection means(305~313) comprises switching unit(314) disconnecting and switching speed of internal connection device at the range from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps if needed, transformer to implement signal interface function between computer connected to hub or directly and switching unit(314), and computer/hub connector (316) connected to a plurality of computers through hub or directly.

An apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines as mentioned above, operates as follows: when power turns on, OS(operating system) and routing function code which are compressed and stored in Flash ROM(302) are decompressed and restored into RAM(303). After then, central processing unit(301) executes program code restored into RAM(303). As a result, central processing unit(301) implements routing function according to an embodiment of this present invention.

Generally, conventional routing method routes to appropriate communication line whenever an unspecified user computer transmits or receives packet data to communication line. There are three independent routing methods such as least connection routing method which distributes corresponding traffic to least connected line, weight connection routing method which dedicates corresponding traffic to one communication line until it's bandwidth reaches maximum value, and round-robin routing method which divides equally users and communication line in sequence or hybrid routing method out of three routing methods.

Central processing unit(301) according to an embodiment of this present invention routes packet data as means of TBRP(traffic base routing protocol) and BBPR(bandwidth base routing protocol based on traffic and bandwidth of each communication line.

This TBPR/BBPR method checks each line bandwidth information and traffic state of a plurality of communication lines after central processing unit analyzes final destination of corresponding packet from Internet user computer. After that, TBRP/BBRP method enables to transfer Internet user's traffic to gateway serving optimal communication line.

The bandwidth information of each communication line can be assigned by external input. Traffic state can be checked by ping(packet Internet groper) test. Also, central processing unit(301) according to an embodiment of this present invention routes packet teaming and bonding routing as well as TBRP/BBRP routing. If the Internet user traffic exceeds fixed level, this packet teaming and bonding routing targets acquiring optimal bandwidth of each communication line by distributing all traffic to every each communication line, not recklessly transferring all traffic to a specific communication line.

Central processing unit(301) to realize these routing method includes ping module(41), disconnecting and swith module(42) and completing module(43) as shown in FIG. 4.

The said ping module(41) used in checking specific system network connection in the network whether it is connected or not shows the response result according to ICMP echo request in the form of data packet to remote host. This ping response result enables to monitor traffic status of corresponding communication line.

The said disconnecting and switch module transfers data packet to optimal communication line according to bandwidth information and traffic status of each communication line, controls the transfer by distributing packet data to other communication line if the bandwidth and traffic of each specific communication line exceeds bandwidth limit and traffic range limit.

Also, completion module(43) performs completion function not to use another communication line if a specific communication line recovers it's bandwidth and traffic limit set-up.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for explaining packet routing method with TBRP/BBRP routing in a apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines according to an embodiment of this present invention.

Firstly, the bandwidth or speed of each communication line can be set by user's hand- worked input or by preset limit of each communication line when the power turns on.(S51)

When requesting communication line from user computer generates packet data, the said apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines distributes packet data to each communication line according to the bandwidth and traffic of each communication line. As an example, when communication line 1, communication line 2, and communication line 3 connected to the said apparatus have 8 Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 2 Mbps each, the said apparatus distributes packet data at the ratio of 8 : 4 : 2 to communication line 1, communication line 2, and communication line 3. Secondly, the said apparatus checks traffic state of each communication line periodically by conducting ping test(S52). That is, the said apparatus checks line state by polling ping response time accompanying ping test.

When the traffic occurs from user computer while checking line state of each communication line(S53), the said apparatus, firstly, selects the fastest communication line according to the bandwidth information and ping test result of each communication line(S54), secondly, distributes traffic generated from user computer to that communication line(S55).

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for explaining packet routing method by teaming/bonding routing method regarding the said apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines following an embodiment of this present invention.

Firstly, the bandwidth or speed of each communication line can be set by user's hand- worked input or by preset limit of each communication line when the power turns on(S61).

Central processing unit(301) sets the receivable amount of traffic following to the bandwidth of each communication line(S62).

Generally, when the traffic occurs as user computer requests use of communication line, all traffic generated from an unspecific user computer assigns packet data as packet unit to a specific communication line. In case of exceeding traffic setup limit, network trouble occurs in the aspect of efficiency decrease and bandwidth reduction since the traffic recklessly runs into corresponding communication line.

This present invention clears that trouble by transferring and distributing heavy traffic to a plurality of communication lines after sorting optimal communication line by packet unit.

That is, the packet data is generated by an user computer(S63). the said apparatus, firstly, calculates traffic amount of each communication line(S64). Secondly, the said apparatus compares traffic setup limit at step S62 with traffic amount of the first communication line(S65).

With the result of comparison at the step S65, the said apparatus distributes packet data to the communication line 1 unless the traffic of the communication line 1 reaches the traffic setup limit(S66). If the traffic of the communication line 1 exceeds the traffic setup limit, the said apparatus compares traffic setup limit at step S62 with traffic amount of the communication line 2(S67).

With the result of comparison at the step S67, the said apparatus distributes packet data to the communication line 2 unless the traffic of the communication line 2 reach the traffic setup limit(S68). If the traffic of the communication line 2 exceeds the traffic setup limit, the said apparatus distributes corresponding packet data to communication line 3(S69).

In the sequence of routing the said packet data, when the traffic amount of communication line 1 and 2 decrease below the traffic setup limit, the said apparatus sequentially disconnects communication line 2 and communication line 3.

As use of teaming/bonding routing method, the traffic over setup limit value can be distributed and transferred from departure point in packet unit through a plurality of communication lines.

For a specific example, let's suppose that there is a packet data representing a html document comprising 10 graphic images on the USA today website.

Also, if the apparatus (204) supporting a plurality of communication lines according to an embodiment of this present invention connects a user computer with 2 communication lines, the behavior will be as follows.

If 2 communication lines have same bandwidth, the apparatus(204) supporting a plurality of communication lines according to an embodiment of this present invention requests 5 graphic images and texts to transfer through one of two communication lines to USA today web server. At the same time, the apparatus(204) supporting a plurality of communication lines according to an embodiment of this present invention requests 5 graphic images to transfer another communication line. After the apparatus(204) supporting a plurality of communication lines according to an embodiment of this present invention bonds these 5 graphic images, texts from one of 2 communication lines and 5 graphic images from another communication line and sends to user computer, the user computer displays a html document comprising 10 graphic images on the USA today website on the monitor screen. On the other hand, if 2 communication lines have different bandwidth, the apparatus(204) supporting a plurality of communication lines according to an embodiment of this present invention requests larger mount of data to one serving larger bandwidth margin of 2 communication lines while requesting small amount of data to other communication line instead. After the apparatus(204) supporting a plurality of communication lines according to an embodiment of this present invention bonds each data from each line and sends to user computer, the user computer displays a html document comprising 10 graphic images on the USA today website on the monitor screen.

The said disconnecting and switch module(42) transfers data packet to optimal communication line according to bandwidth information and traffic status of each communication line, controls the transfer by distributing packet data to other communication line if the bandwidth and traffic of each specific communication line exceeds bandwidth limit and traffic range limit. Also, the said disconnecting and switch module(42) controls packet data distribution to a plurality of communication lines by means of using packet mark of iptables available in OS(operating system) kernel 2.4.

That is, the said disconnecting and switch module(42) makes 3 extra user routing tables which have higher priority than already existing routing table. After that, the said disconnecting and switch module(42) inspects SYN flag(Since flag means the start of virtual network connection in the format of TCP message, if this flag is set, it can be considered as new connection starts.) of flag field in TCP header of request packet by detecting outgoing packet about web service as user computer requests service, ACK, and various flash area. If the result of inspection shows that new start begins, the said disconnecting and switch module requests packet transfer to each communication line by the way of transferring packet to communication line 1 through routing table 1 with marking '1' to packet '1', transferring packet to communication line 2 through routing table 2 with marking '2' to packet '2', and transferring packet to communication line 3 through routing table 3 with marking '3' to packet '3'.

As an example, in case of packet data as html document and 3 communication lines, the user computer displays complete web page on the screen after user computer bonds distributed packets such as, text coming from communication line

1, 5 graphic images coming from communication line 2, and the rest of images coming from communication line 3.

Here, an apparatus(204) supporting a plurality of communication lines, making Internet connection by using at least 2 communication lines, performs data load balancing with real time, thus, optimal transfer whenever it receives packet data.

Although this invention is explained based on a preferred embodiment, the embodiment is only to exemplify but not to limit the present invention. To a skilled person in this art, it will be apparent that any change, alteration or modulation from the embodiment without departing from the technical idea of the present invention can be easily made. Attached claims should be interpreted as comprehension of such change, alteration or modulation.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to an apparatus connected multi IP broadband line and packet routing method thereof, this present invention explained in detail enables the packet transfer via selected optimal communication line after analyzing bandwidth information and traffic state of each communication line in case of user request for Internet access under the circumstance of an apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines with at least at least one user computer. Also, this present invention provides distributed packet transfer to a plurality of communication lines in packet unit from departure point when the traffic requested by Internet user exceeds traffic setup limit. Besides, this present invention provides a teaming and bonding scheme which allows user computer to bond each distributed packet data via each communication line, and display on the screen. Furthermore, this present invention provides industrial advantage in the aspect of cost, performance, and connection stability of Internet access.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. Wherein an apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines which supports both connecting a plurality of communication lines and at least one user computer is provided, an apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines comprising: central processing unit including several modules such as ping module checking every each communication line status by the way of ping test, disconnecting and switching module distributing packet data to reduce line traffic if the amount of user computer data traffic exceeds maximum set value to be assigned and transferring; memory unit including Flash ROM storing routing function code in compressed format and RAM which stores decompressed code for routing function code and provides to central processing unit; a plurality of network interface cards being connected in accordance with said a plurality of communication lines as well as connected said central processing unit via internal bus; communication line connection part including a plurality of transformers implementing signal interface function between said each network interface card and said communication line; switching part being connected said central processing unit via internal bus and providing internal speed to said central processing unit by disconnecting and switching, if necessary; user computer comiection part comprising transformer implementing signal interface function between at least one user computer and said switching part, wherein an apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines providing connection between at least user computer and a plurality of communication lines is provided.

2. An apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines and packet routing method thereof, comprising the steps of:

(a) acquiring bandwidth information of said every communication line;

(b) detecting traffic status of said every communication line; and (c) distributing traffic generated from user computer to said communication line by analyzing optimal communication line in the aspect of said bandwidth and said traffic, wherein an apparatus supporting a plurality of communication lines which supports both connecting a plurality of communication lines and at least equal one user computer is provided.

3. An apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines and packet routing method thereof, comprising: the step detecting said traffic status of corresponding communication line as result of ping response time by implementing ping test to said every communication line, wherein detecting said traffic status in claim 2 is provided.

4. An apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines and packet routing method thereof, characterized as comprising the steps of:

(a) establishing maximum receivable traffic amount to each communication line by acquiring bandwidth information of said every communication line; and

(b) transferring said distributed packet data to communication line with less amount of current traffic than maximum traffic by checking said communication lines when said user computer requests packet data, wherein an apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines and routing method thereof which supports both connecting a plurality of communication lines and at least equal one user computer is provided.

5. An apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines and packet routing method thereof, comprising: the step transferring distributed packet data to a plurality of communication lines by using packet mart of iptables available in OS(operating system) kernel, wherein detecting said traffic status in claim 4 is provided.

6. An apparatus supporting a plurality of broadband communication lines and packet routing method thereof, comprising: the step transferring a plurality of packets, by the means of bonding, coming from said distributed a plurality of communication lines, according claim 4 or claim 5.