JP2018018168A - Communication device and control method for the same, computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a technique capable of more effectively exerting a power saving effect in a device provided with a plurality of IP addresses. A communication device having a first operation state and a second operation state that operates more power-saving than the first operation state includes: a storage unit that stores an IP address; Receiving means for selectively receiving packets based on the MAC address, and returning from the second operating state to the first operating state in response to the receiving means receiving a packet from the network in the second operating state Determining means for determining whether or not to perform, and switching means for switching the operating state of the communication device according to the determination result of the determination means, the determination means is a packet received by the receiving means based on the MAC address of the communication device When the destination address does not match any of the IP addresses stored in the storage means, it is determined to return to the first operation state. [Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus, a control method therefor, and a computer program.

  In recent years, IP (Internet Protocol), which is a protocol used in network communication, has been shifting from IPv4 (IP version 4) to IPv6 (IP version 6) in order to cope with the problem of exhaustion of IP addresses. In IPv6, a plurality of IP addresses are assigned to a communication interface of a communication processing apparatus, and IP addresses used at the time of communication are properly used according to the scope of the communication partner. In addition, IP addresses are properly used according to services, and it is conceivable that IP addresses assigned to communication devices will increase in the future.

  On the other hand, when a main function is not operating as a power saving mode of a communication device, the power of most hardware including the CPU and memory constituting the communication device system is turned off to save power. Has been realized. Even in such a power saving mode, normal power that can respond to network communication from an external remote controller and that can operate the main functions of the communication device in response to receiving an activation request through network communication. It is also known to restore the state. Such a function is realized by receiving and waiting for an activation request for returning to the normal power state by supplying power only to a part of hardware capable of performing network communication processing. Furthermore, it is also realized that the communication device receives an inquiry from the remote controller and returns a response without returning the system to the normal power state.

  As an example of a method in which a communication device waits for reception with power saving, a method is known in which power is supplied only to a NIC (Network Interface Card) included in the communication device to operate. Here, the NIC inspects a frame received from the network, and executes response processing and system activation processing when data of a specific pattern is included.

  According to these backgrounds, the NIC determines whether the destination address of the received packet is stored in advance, and if it is stored, returns the main control unit from the power saving state, It is known to output a packet to a main control unit (Patent Document 1). In this configuration, the NIC packet detection unit stores a list of physical addresses to be detected among physical addresses, and also stores a list of IP addresses to be detected among IP addresses assigned to individual functions of the communication device. Keep it. When a packet is received, it is determined whether the physical address and IP address specified as the destination in the packet match those stored in advance. As a result, when they match, the main control unit is returned and the received packet is output to the main control unit.

JP 2010-166313 A

  When waiting for reception with low power consumption, in order to enhance the power saving effect, it is required to reduce the power supplied to the hardware resources as much as possible by cutting off the power supply. However, with the configuration described in Patent Document 1, as the number of IP addresses assigned to the device increases, the amount of memory that must be held as its own IP address information even in the power saving mode increases. In the future, in order to properly use IP addresses according to services and communication types, if the number of IP addresses to be assigned increases, the memory required to hold IP address information also increases. Then, the power supplied to these memories increases in the power saving mode, and there is a problem that a sufficient power saving effect cannot be exhibited.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of more effectively exerting a power saving effect in a device provided with a plurality of IP addresses.

In order to achieve the above object, a communication apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A communication device having a first operation state and a second operation state that operates more power-saving than the first operation state,
Storage means for storing an IP address;
Receiving means for selectively receiving packets from the network based on the MAC address of the communication device;
Determining means for determining whether or not to return from the second operating state to the first operating state in response to the receiving unit receiving a packet from the network in the second operating state;
Switching means for switching the operation state of the communication device according to the determination result of the determination means,
The determination unit is configured to perform the first operation state when a destination address of the packet received by the reception unit based on a MAC address of the communication device does not match any of the IP addresses stored in the storage unit. Determine to return to.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the technique which can be made to exhibit a power saving effect more effectively in the apparatus to which the some IP address was provided can be provided.

Diagram showing the configuration of the communication processing device Diagram showing transition of power consumption state of communication processing device Flow chart showing packet reception processing procedure in power saving mode Flow chart showing the procedure for returning from power saving mode to normal power mode Flow chart showing the IP address setting process procedure when shifting to the power saving mode

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Configuration of communication processing device)
An example of the configuration of a communication processing apparatus (communication apparatus) 101 according to an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication processing apparatus 101. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication processing apparatus 101 includes an application system unit 102, a network communication unit 103, and a power saving mode control unit 104. In this embodiment, a plurality of IP addresses are assigned to the communication processing apparatus 101 in advance.

  Connected to the local bus 112 of the network communication unit 103 are a communication control unit 105 that transmits and receives frames by connecting to the network, and a local RAM (writeable memory) 107 that is a temporary storage device for processing in the network communication unit 103. The The local bus 112 is connected to a protocol processing unit 108 that executes TCP / IP communication processing and a bus bridge circuit 106 described later.

  The network 113 to which the communication processing apparatus 101 is connected is connected to the communication processing apparatus 101 via the communication control unit 105. The network 113 is, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark), but may be any medium as long as it can communicate, such as a wireless network or an optical fiber network. A remote controller that operates the communication processing apparatus 101 performs communication using the TCP / IP protocol via the network 113.

  The communication control unit 105 performs communication control for transmitting and receiving transmission frames to and from the network 113. For example, when the network 113 is Ethernet (registered trademark), the communication control unit 105 performs Ethernet (registered trademark) MAC processing (transmission media control processing), transmission and reception of transmission frames, and the like.

  The protocol processing unit 108 is a hardware circuit device dedicated to communication protocol processing or a microprocessor designed for communication protocol processing. These perform general-purpose TCP / IP protocol communication processing. More specifically, IPv4, IPv6, IPsec, ICMP, UDP, TCP communication protocol processing, transmission flow control, congestion control, communication error control, and the like are performed. The protocol processing unit 108 may be configured as one functional block, or may have a multiprocessor configuration in which a plurality of functional blocks are realized by a plurality of microprocessors. Further, the processing by the microprocessor and some functions may be realized by a dedicated accelerator using hardware. It is desirable that these power sources can be controlled independently.

  The local RAM 107 is used as a temporary storage area for data in the communication control unit 105 and the protocol processing unit 108. As will be described later, when the local RAM 107 receives a packet in the power saving mode state 202, the local RAM 107 stores an IP address that is a basis for determining whether or not to return to the normal power state 201. In the case of a microprocessor, it may be used as a storage area for computer programs during operation. Further, the local RAM 107 may be composed of a plurality of memory banks, and the power supply may be controlled for each memory bank. The local RAM 107 may be configured by a plurality of memory chips having different memory sizes, and may be configured to switch usable memory chips in accordance with a required storage size.

  The network communication unit 103 also includes a bus bridge circuit 106 that enables data transfer between the local bus 112 and the system bus 118 of the application system unit 102. In other words, the network communication unit 103 and the application system unit 102 are connected to each other via the bus bridge circuit 106, and the inter-bus transfer is performed in communication data input / output. Yes.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 114, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 115, a RAM 116, and an application function unit 117 are connected to the system bus 118 of the application system unit 102. A system program is stored in the ROM 115, and the RAM 116 is used as a temporary storage device used when executing a computer program such as system software or application software. A software program (computer program) is read from the ROM 115 to the RAM 116 and executed by the CPU 114. Similarly, an application function unit 117 connected to the system bus 118 is a hardware processing unit used for realizing a characteristic application function of the communication processing apparatus 101.

  The power saving mode control unit 104 is a power control unit that controls the power supply of the network communication unit 103 and the application system unit 102 independently of the network communication unit 103 and the application system unit 102.

  The power saving mode control unit 104 performs power-on control, hardware reset control, and sequence control for safely starting / stopping the entire communication processing device 101 for each device constituting the communication processing device 101. . The power saving mode control unit 104 is connected to the network communication unit 103 and the application system unit 102 via a control signal line, and performs mode transition operation control in each of the normal power state and the power saving mode state.

  The main functions of the communication processing apparatus 101 are realized by the application system unit 102. An application program executed by the CPU 114 can perform network communication. Communication by application is based on the TCP / IP protocol. As described above, this TCP / IP protocol process is executed in the protocol processing unit 108 of the network communication unit 103.

(State transition)
The communication processing apparatus 101 having the above-described configuration enables a transition to the power saving mode state in an idle state where the main functions are not operating. The transition of the operation state of the communication processing apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a transition diagram of the power consumption state of the communication processing apparatus 101. 201 is a normal power state (first operation state), and 202 is a power saving mode state (second operation state). The power saving mode state 202 is an operation state in which the communication processing apparatus 101 operates more power saving than the normal power state 201. While the main function of the communication processing apparatus 101 is operating, the normal power state 201 is maintained (203). In the normal power state 201, power is supplied to the entire communication processing apparatus 101 including the application system unit 102. When the idle state in which the main function is not executed in the normal power state 201 is entered, the state shifts to the power saving mode state 202 (204). For example, the transition to the power saving mode state 202 can be made when the idle state continues for a certain period of time in the normal power state 201.

  On the other hand, in the power saving mode state 202, power is supplied only to the network communication unit 103 and the power saving mode control unit 104. Further, the network communication unit 103 supplies power to the components according to the control of the power saving mode control unit 104 so that power is supplied only to necessary hardware resources according to the operation mode. Finely control. In the power saving mode state 202, since the application system unit 102 is in a power-off state, the system bus 118, the CPU 114, the RAM 116, the ROM 115, and the application function unit 117 are stopped. The transition from the power saving mode state 202 to the normal power state 201 is, for example, when the communication processing apparatus 101 receives a system activation request from the network 113 (205). The power saving mode control unit 104 is connected to an external switch that can be operated by the user, and shifts from the power saving mode state 202 to the normal power state 201 by pressing the switch.

(IP address setting process)
Next, the power saving mode IP address setting process (IP address setting process) in the CPU 114, which is executed when shifting to the power saving mode, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of IP address setting processing. This process may be performed by the power saving mode control unit 104.

  When the communication processing apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment receives a packet while in the power saving mode state 202, the communication processing apparatus 101 transitions to the normal power state 201 in principle. However, when the destination address of the received packet is set in the proxy response IP address list or the activation exclusion IP address list, the power saving mode state 202 is continued. Here, the proxy response refers to a predetermined response process in which the network communication unit 103 performs a response to the received packet on behalf of the application system unit 102 while maintaining the power saving mode state 202. The proxy IP address list is a list of destination IP addresses of received packets to be subjected to such a proxy response. Activation exclusion refers to discarding a received packet while maintaining the power saving mode state 202 without responding to the received packet. The activation exclusion IP address list is a list of destination IP addresses of received packets that should be excluded from activation. In the IP address setting process described with reference to FIG. 3, IP addresses are set in the proxy IP address list and the activation exclusion IP address list when transitioning from the normal power state 201 to the power saving mode state 202.

  In S301, a list of IP addresses set as the IP address of the communication processing apparatus 101 that is the own apparatus is acquired.

  In S302, the IP address of the own apparatus necessary for the proxy response is selected from the list of IP addresses acquired in S301. As will be described later, in S303, the IP address required for the proxy response selected in S302 is set as the proxy response IP address list in the power saving mode state 202. The number of IP addresses to be selected is determined in advance according to the size of the memory (local RAM 107) that can be used in the power saving mode state 202. In the power saving mode state 202, the entire capacity of the local RAM 107 may not be used, and a part thereof may be used. For example, the number of IP addresses less than the total capacity of the local RAM 107 may be determined in advance, and the amount of memory to be activated may be determined from the number. In the power saving mode state 202, it is possible to suppress power consumption by activating only a part of the local RAM 107 and not supplying power to the rest.

  As the proxy response IP address, it is only necessary to select only an IP address that requires a proxy response that has been known at the time of shifting to the power saving mode. As will be described later, in the return flow from the power saving mode (FIG. 5), when a packet having a destination address as an IP address that is not set in the proxy response IP address list and requires a proxy response is received. Process to add to the list.

  If the number of IP addresses set in the proxy response IP address list exceeds the number of IP address information that can be held in the power saving mode, a proxy response that is frequently performed in the power saving mode is preferentially set. Alternatively, for example, an IP address to be set in the proxy response IP address list may be selected using an algorithm such as LRU (Least Recently Used). When there are a plurality of communication interfaces, an IP address may be selected for each interface, or IP addresses assigned to a plurality of interfaces may be collectively acquired and selected as a list. The IP address may be a unicast address, or any IP address that should be a proxy response such as a multicast, broadcast, or anycast address.

  In S303, the IP address selected in S302 is set in the memory area of the local RAM 107 managed as its own IP address information in the power saving mode state 202.

  If there is an IP address registered in the activation exclusion IP address list in the power saving mode in S304, the activation exclusion IP address is set during the power saving mode operation. That is, it is set in the memory area of the local RAM 107 managed as IP address information excluded from activation during the power saving mode. This activation exclusion IP address may be added to the list when an IP address that should not be activated in the power saving mode is received from the network, or may be set in advance. The activation exclusion IP address can be selected based on the use in the power saving mode state 202, for example.

  Normally, the communication processing apparatus 101 is often connected to a switching hub or the like. When the destination IP address of a packet is a unicast address, the unicast address is also used as the MAC address. Therefore, a packet destined for a MAC address different from the MAC address of the communication processing device 101 is not transferred to the communication processing device 101 by the port control of the switching hub. Therefore, it is assumed that a broadcast address or a multicast address is set as an IP address set as activation exclusion, but it may be a unicast address. By setting the activation exclusion IP address here, it is possible to avoid temporary activation by a packet that frequently flows on the network although it is not directly related to the communication processing apparatus 101.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the local RAM 107 is used as a memory for supplying power during the power saving mode has been described. However, any resource that supplies power during the power saving mode that can store IP address information can be used. A memory may be used. For example, a memory may be provided in the power saving mode control unit 104 and the memory may be used.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when shifting from the normal power state 201 to the power saving mode state 202, an IP address to be stored in the local RAM 107 is selected from the IP addresses assigned to the communication processing device 101. Here, according to the capacity of the local RAM 107, a predetermined number of IP addresses can be selected from IP addresses assigned to the communication processing apparatus 101. When the number of IP addresses assigned to the communication processing device 101 exceeds a predetermined number, the IP address to be stored is selected based on the usage state of the IP address assigned to the communication processing device 101. This usage state includes the usage frequency or reception frequency of the packet, the reception time, and the like. As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to automatically select and set the IP address of a packet that should be excluded from a proxy response or activation when shifting to the power saving mode state 202.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which an arbitrary IP address is selected by the above flow has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, other methods and processing procedures may be used as long as an IP address to be subjected to proxy response or activation exclusion can be selected from IP addresses set in the communication processing apparatus 101 in the normal power mode.

(Processing in power saving mode)
Next, the operation when the communication processing apparatus 101 receives a packet from the network during the power saving mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the communication processing apparatus 101 in the power saving mode.

  As described above, in the power saving mode state 202, in principle, a transition is made to the normal power state 201 in response to packet reception, but if the destination IP address is preset, the power saving mode state 202 is continued. The proxy response and the packet are discarded. However, in this embodiment, in addition to such processing, when it can be said that there is no need to return to the normal power state 201 according to the presence or absence of an error in the packet or the protocol type of the packet, the power saving mode state 202 is set. Processing to maintain is also performed. Thereby, power consumption can be kept low.

  First, in S401, it is determined whether the destination MAC address is a MAC address addressed to the own apparatus. If it is not addressed to the own device (NO in S401), the process proceeds to S410, the packet is discarded, the power saving mode is continued, and the process is terminated. If the destination MAC address is addressed to its own device (YES in S401), the process proceeds to S402. Thus, in this embodiment, a packet is selectively received from a network based on the MAC address of the communication processing apparatus 101.

  In S402, the IP packet error check of the received packet is performed to determine whether there is an error. The IP packet error here refers to an error in the packet header in performing IP communication, such as incomplete information described in the IP header. If there is an error (YES in S402), the process proceeds to S410, the packet is discarded, the power saving mode is continued, and the process is terminated. If there is no IP packet error (NO in S402), the process proceeds to S403.

  In S403, an error check corresponding to the packet type is performed to determine whether there is an error. Here, the error check according to the packet type is confirmation of the consistency of information described in the header. For example, in TCP, UDP, and ICMPv6, checksum value inspection and the like are performed. If there is an error (YES in S403), the process proceeds to S410, the packet is discarded, the power saving mode is continued, and the process ends. If there is no error (NO in S403), the process proceeds to S404.

  In S404, it is determined whether the type of the received packet corresponds to a proxy response factor. If the packet corresponds to the proxy response factor (YES in S404), the process proceeds to S405. If the packet does not correspond to the proxy response factor (NO in S404), the process proceeds to S407. The proxy response factor is a cause based on the fact that the received packet is a packet for which a proxy response should be made. The determination as to whether the packet type corresponds to the proxy response factor is made, for example, by confirming whether the type and code are an echo request when the IP upper protocol is ICMP. When an echo request is made, an echo response should be returned, so that it is determined to be a proxy response factor. Also, for example, in the case of UDP, the appropriateness of the proxy response factor is determined by confirming from the port number information whether a response with a specific application is necessary. As described above, the suitability of the proxy response factor is determined according to the type and content of the communication protocol, and the determination criterion is preset in the power saving mode control unit 104. As a result, an inquiry from a remote controller connected to the network is received. If the inquiry corresponds to a proxy response factor, a response is transmitted without returning the entire system to the normal power state. For this reason, power consumption can be suppressed.

  In S405, it is determined whether the destination IP address is included in the proxy response IP address list set in S303. If it is included in the proxy response IP address list (YES in S405), the process proceeds to S406, and if not included (NO in S405), the process proceeds to S408.

  In S406, a response packet corresponding to the received packet is created and transmitted, the power saving mode is continued, and the process is terminated.

  In S407, it is determined whether the packet type corresponds to a return factor. The return factor is a factor that should return from the power saving mode state 202 to the normal power state 201. The determination of whether or not it corresponds to the return factor is made based on whether the CPU 114 or the application function unit 117 of the application system unit 102 should return to the normal power state 201 and perform processing. For example, when the packet type is UDP, it is determined whether it is a return factor by checking whether the packet is for a specific port. In the case of TCP, further check the flag in the TCP header and confirm whether it is a SYN packet to a specific port number, etc. Determine whether. If the packet does not correspond to the return factor (NO in S407), the process proceeds to S410, the packet is discarded, the power saving mode is continued, and the process is terminated. If it is a return factor (YES in S407), the process proceeds to S408.

  In S408, it is determined whether the destination IP address of the packet is included in the activation exclusion IP address list set in S304. If it is included in the activation exclusion IP address list (YES in S408), the process proceeds to S410, the packet is discarded, the power saving mode is continued, and the process ends. If it is not included in the activation exclusion IP address list (NO in S408), the process proceeds to S409. In step S409, a signal to be a system return request is notified to the power saving mode control unit 104, and the process ends.

  In the present embodiment, the packet reception processing flow in the power saving mode is shown in the above flow. However, any processing procedure may be used as long as the processing procedure of the packet received in the power saving mode is consistent. For example, a part of the steps shown in FIG. 4 may be omitted or the processing order may be changed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in response to receiving a packet from the network in the power saving mode state 202 (second operation state), the normal power state 201 (first operation state) is changed from the power saving mode state 202. It is determined whether or not to return to (). And the switching process which switches the operation state of the communication processing apparatus 101 according to the determination result is performed. In the return determination, when the destination address of the received packet does not match any of the IP addresses stored in advance, it is determined to return to the normal power state 201. As described above, in this embodiment, in order to store the IP address that should maintain the power saving mode state, instead of storing the IP address that should return to the system in advance, in a device to which a large number of IP addresses are assigned, The amount of information to be stored can be reduced. Therefore, power consumption due to memory resources can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, an IP address to which a proxy response for responding to a packet received while the power saving mode state 202 is continued is stored as a proxy response address. When the destination address of the received packet matches the proxy response address in the power saving mode state 202, a proxy response is made to the packet while continuing the power saving mode state 202. For this reason, even if the storage capacity of the storage device is limited, a proxy response can be made by registering in advance an IP address corresponding to an application for which a proxy response is highly necessary.

  In the present embodiment, an IP address that should discard a packet received while the power saving mode state 202 is continued is stored as an exclusion address. When the destination address of the received packet matches the excluded address in the power saving mode state 202, the packet is discarded while the power saving operation state is continued. For this reason, even if the storage capacity of the storage device is limited, the power saving mode state 202 can be maintained by registering in advance the IP address of the packet to be discarded.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the packet is discarded while maintaining the power saving mode state 202 according to the type of the received packet, the MAC address of the packet, and the presence or absence of an error in the packet. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed regardless of the storage capacity of the storage device. Note that there may be a common IP address to which a proxy response should be made and an IP address to be discarded. When a packet addressed to such an IP address is received in the power saving mode state 202, the communication processing apparatus 101 makes a proxy response while maintaining the power saving mode state 202, and discards the received packet.

(Return processing)
Next, a return process performed when the return from the power saving mode state 202 to the normal power state 201 is detected will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for returning from the power saving mode state to the normal power state.

  In step S501, a return process from the power saving mode state 202 to the normal power state 201 is performed. Under the control of the power saving mode control unit 104, power is supplied to the application system unit 102 and the network communication unit 103 in the normal operation mode. In response to this, the application system unit 102 and the network communication unit 103 perform system activation processing.

  In S502, the cause of return from the power saving mode state 202 is confirmed. The return factor is, for example, a return instruction by a start-up packet from the remote controller, a press instruction of a power button of the communication processing apparatus 101 or a start-up by a remote controller, an automatic return after a certain period of time in the power saving mode state 202, or the like.

  In step S503, it is determined whether or not the return factor is a return due to an activation packet from the remote controller. For example, the system recovery at S409 in S409 of FIG. 4 corresponds to the recovery by the activation packet. In the case of return by the activation packet (YES in S503), the process proceeds to S505, and in the case of other factors (NO in S503), the process proceeds to S504. In S504, the process in the normal power state is started and the process is terminated.

  In S505, it is determined whether or not the destination IP address of the activation trigger packet is one of the IP addresses of the communication processing apparatus 101 itself. If it is addressed to its own IP address (YES in S505), the process proceeds to S509. If it is not addressed to its own IP address (NO in S505), the process proceeds to S506.

  In S506, the destination IP address of the received packet is added to the activation exclusion IP address list. When the activation exclusion IP address list cannot be registered any more, a frequently-used one may be preferentially set, or an IP address to be registered may be selected by an algorithm such as LRU. In addition, it is possible to select an IP address to be registered by using an IP address selection method for preventing erroneous activation with an IP address not addressed to the own apparatus.

  In S507, the packet that has become the activation trigger is discarded, and in S508, the process shifts again to the power saving mode and the process is terminated.

  In step S509, it is determined whether the packet type is a packet that requires a proxy response. If the packet requires a proxy response (YES in S509), the process proceeds to S510. If it is an activation request packet that is not a packet that requires a proxy response (NO in S509), the process proceeds to S504, where the process in the normal power state is started and the process is terminated.

  In S510, a transmission packet that responds to the received packet is created and transmitted to the network.

  In S511, the destination IP address of the received packet is added to the proxy response IP address list, and the process proceeds to S508. If the number of IP addresses set in the proxy response IP address list exceeds the number of IP address information that can be held in the power saving mode, a proxy response that is frequently performed in the power saving mode is preferentially set. In addition, an IP address that can be registered in the proxy response IP address list may be selected by an algorithm such as LRU.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the packet is returned to the normal power state 201 (first operation state) from the power saving mode state 202 (second operation state) in response to reception of the packet, the packet is substituted. It is determined whether or not the packet is a response. When it is determined that the packet is to be subjected to the proxy response, storage control is performed to store the destination IP address of the received packet in the local RAM 107 as the proxy response address. Further, the operation state of the communication processing apparatus 101 is automatically switched from the normal power state 201 to the power saving mode state 202. Therefore, it is possible to automatically update the proxy response address (proxy response IP address list) stored in the local RAM 107 while suppressing power consumption as much as possible.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when returning from the power saving mode state 202 to the normal power state 201 in response to reception of a packet, it is determined whether or not the packet is a packet to be discarded. For example, when a packet whose destination is an IP address different from the IP address of the communication processing apparatus 101 is received, it can be determined that the packet is a packet to be discarded. As a result of determination, when the packet is to be discarded, the destination IP address of the received packet is stored as an exclusion address, and the operation state of the communication processing apparatus 101 is switched from the normal power state 201 to the power saving mode state 202. Therefore, it is possible to automatically update the excluded address (startup excluded IP address list) stored in the local RAM 107 while suppressing power consumption as much as possible.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the return process is performed according to the above flow has been described. However, any method may be used as long as the communication process apparatus 101 can maintain consistency as the return process when the communication processing apparatus 101 shifts from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the IP address required for the proxy response from the IP address set in the own device at the time of shifting to the power saving mode in the communication processing device 101, and the activation exclusion IP address that is not the address of the own device are set. Select and set when shifting to power saving mode. As a result, it is possible to reduce the memory capacity required to hold the IP address information of the own apparatus in the power saving mode and maintain the network communication operation required in the power saving mode.

  Further, when a packet other than the proxy response packet and the start exclusion address packet is received, the system is once returned from the power saving mode, and then the IP address of the received packet is confirmed. As a result, it is possible to start from the remote controller without setting an IP address necessary for starting in the power saving mode.

  Further, by holding the activation exclusion IP address in the power saving mode, it is possible to specify a packet that is not activated even if it is a packet that is forwarded to the own device by a switching hub or the like. As a result, it is possible to prevent the system from being unnecessarily restored from the power saving mode, and the power saving effect can be enhanced.

  In addition, when the number of IP addresses specified in the proxy response IP address and activation exclusion IP address lists set in the power saving mode exceeds the necessary memory amount, replacement is performed using the use frequency or an arbitrary algorithm. As a result, the memory capacity can be reduced while further improving the power saving effect.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

101: Communication processing device, 102: Application system unit, 103: Network communication unit, 104: Power saving mode control unit

Claims (16)

A communication device having a first operation state and a second operation state that operates more power-saving than the first operation state,
Storage means for storing an IP address;
Receiving means for selectively receiving packets from the network based on the MAC address of the communication device;
Determining means for determining whether or not to return from the second operating state to the first operating state in response to the receiving unit receiving a packet from the network in the second operating state;
Switching means for switching the operation state of the communication device according to the determination result of the determination means,
The determination unit is configured to perform the first operation state when a destination address of the packet received by the reception unit based on a MAC address of the communication device does not match any of the IP addresses stored in the storage unit. A communication device, characterized in that it is determined to return to.   The storage means stores, as a first address, an IP address to be subjected to a predetermined response process for responding to a packet received by the receiving means while continuing the second operation state. Item 4. The communication device according to Item 1.   When the destination address of the packet received by the receiving means matches the first address, the information processing apparatus further comprises response means for performing the predetermined response processing on the packet while continuing the second operation state. The communication device according to claim 2. First discrimination means for discriminating whether or not the packet corresponds to a packet to be subjected to the predetermined response process when the second operation state is returned to the first operation state in response to reception of the packet; ,
A storage control unit that stores the destination IP address of the packet received by the reception unit in the storage unit when the first determination unit determines that the packet corresponds to the predetermined response process;
When the switching means determines that the first determination means corresponds to the packet to be subjected to the predetermined response process when the second operation state returns to the first operation state in response to reception of the packet 4. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the operation state of the communication device is switched from the first operation state to the second operation state. 5.   5. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores, as a second address, an IP address that should discard a received packet while continuing the second operation state. 6. Communication device.   6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a discarding unit that discards the packet while continuing the second operation state when a destination address of the received packet matches the second address. Communication device. Second determination means for determining whether the packet corresponds to a packet to be discarded when the second operation state is returned to the first operation state in response to reception of the packet;
A storage control unit that stores the destination IP address of the received packet in the storage unit as the second address when it is determined that the second determination unit corresponds to a packet to be discarded;
When the switching means determines that the second determination means corresponds to a packet to be discarded when returning from the second operation state to the first operation state in response to reception of the packet, the communication device The communication apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the operation state is switched from the first operation state to the second operation state.   When the second determination unit returns from the second operation state to the first operation state in response to reception of a packet whose destination is an IP address different from the IP address of the communication device, the packet is The communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the communication apparatus determines that the packet is to be discarded.   The determination unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the determination unit determines to discard the packet while continuing the second operation state according to a type of the received packet. Communication device.   The determination unit, when the MAC address of the received packet does not match the MAC address of the communication device, determines to discard the packet while continuing the second operation state. The communication device according to any one of 1 to 9.   The determination unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, when the received packet includes an error, the determination unit determines to discard the packet while continuing the second operation state. Communication equipment.   The apparatus further comprises selection means for selecting an IP address to be stored in the storage means from among IP addresses assigned to the communication device when shifting from the first operation state to the second operation state. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.   13. The communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the selection unit selects a predetermined number of IP addresses from among IP addresses assigned to the communication apparatus.   When the number of IP addresses assigned to the communication device exceeds the predetermined number, the selection means stores the IP to be stored in the storage means based on the usage state of the IP address assigned to the communication device. The communication apparatus according to claim 13, wherein an address is selected. A control method for a communication apparatus comprising a storage means for storing an IP address, and having a first operation state and a second operation state that operates more power-saving than the first operation state,
A reception step of selectively receiving a packet based on the MAC address of the communication device from a network;
A determination step of determining whether to return from the second operation state to the first operation state in response to receiving a packet from the network in the second operation state;
A switching step of switching the operating state of the communication device according to the determination result in the determination step,
In the determination step, when the destination address of the packet received based on the MAC address of the communication device in the reception step does not match any of the IP addresses stored in the storage unit, the first operation A control method for a communication device, characterized in that it is determined to return to a state.   The computer program for functioning a computer as each means with which the communication apparatus of any one of Claim 1 to 14 is provided.

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