Network apparatus

A control method for a network apparatus comprising a plurality of modules connected in series and configured to assign an ID number to each of the plurality of modules,

• each of the plurality of modules comprising:
• a front-stage input port configured to receive a signal from its own front-stage module;
• a front-stage output port configured to output a signal to its own front-stage module;
• a rear-stage output port configured to output a signal to its own rear-stage module;
• a rear-stage input port configured to receive a signal from its own rear-stage module;
• and
• an ID number information holding unit configured to hold its own ID number information,
• the control method for the network apparatus comprising:
• a first command generation step of generating a first command for notifying its own rear-stage module of its own ID number information;
• a first command output step of outputting the first command from the rear-stage output port;
• a second command generation step of generating a second command for notifying its own front-stage module of its own ID number information and ID number information on its rear-stage modules;
• a second command output step of outputting the second command from the front-stage output port;
• and
• an ID number information update step of setting, when the first command is received from its own front-stage module, new ID number information obtained in predetermined calculation by monotonically increasing or decreasing ID number information on its front-stage module contained in the received first command as its own ID number information in the ID number information holding unit, wherein
• each of the plurality of modules connected to the network apparatus outputs the first command and the second command a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period of time to assign a different ID number to each of the plurality of modules connected to the network apparatus.

A module configured to set its own ID number, the module comprising:

• a front-stage input port configured to receive a signal from its own front-stage module;
• a front-stage output port configured to output a signal to its own front-stage module;
• a rear-stage output port configured to output a signal to its own rear-stage module;
• a rear-stage input port configured to receive a signal from its own rear-stage module;
• an ID number information holding unit configured to hold its own ID number information;
• a first command generation unit configured to generate a first command for notifying its own rear-stage module of its own ID number information;
• a first command output unit configured to output the first command from the rear-stage output port;
• a second command generation unit configured to generate a second command for notifying its own front-stage module of its own ID number information and ID number information on its rear-stage modules;
• a second command output unit configured to output the second command from the front-stage output port;
• and
• an ID number information update unit configured to set, when the first command is received from its own front-stage module, new ID number information obtained in predetermined calculation by monotonically increasing or decreasing ID number information on its own front-stage module contained in the received first command as its own ID number information in the ID number information holding unit, wherein
• the module includes a plurality of modules, and
• each the plurality of modules connected to a network apparatus outputs the first command and the second command a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period of time to assign a different ID number to each of the plurality of modules.

A module ID number management program managing an ID number of a module, the module incorporating a computer and comprising:

• a front-stage input port configured to receive a signal from its own front-stage module;
• a front-stage output port configured to output a signal to its own front-stage module;
• a rear-stage output port configured to output a signal to its own rear-stage module;
• and
• a rear-stage input port configured to receive a signal from its own rear-stage module, the program causing the computer to function as:
• an ID number information holding unit configured to hold its own ID number information;
• a first command generation unit configured to generate a first command for notifying its own rear-stage module of its own ID number information;
• a first command output unit configured to output the first command from the rear-stage output port;
• a second command generation unit configured to generate a second command for notifying its own front-stage module of its own ID number information and ID number information on its rear-stage modules;
• a second command output unit configured to output the second command from the front-stage output port;
• and
• an ID number information update unit configured to set, when the first command is received from its own front-stage module, new ID number information obtained in predetermined calculation by monotonically increasing or decreasing ID number information on its own front-stage module contained in the received first command as its own ID number information in the ID number information holding unit, wherein
• the module includes a plurality of modules, and
• each the plurality of modules connected to a network apparatus outputs the first command and the second command a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period of time to assign a different ID number to each of the plurality of modules.