JP2000209268A - Access point selection connection system and storage medium with its program recorded therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to select an optimum access point from among a plurality of available access points and to connect with a network through the selected access point, without enforcing a troublesome operation and an excess cost load onto the user. SOLUTION: This access point selection connection system is provided with a terminal connector 3, that selects any of providers A, B, C with which a user has already closed a contract and connects a user terminal 2 with the Internet 1 via the selected provider and with a routing information service center 4, that predicts the route and the throughput from each provider to a server (a) or (b) via the Internet 1, selects an optimum provider and uses a D channel packet service or the like in an ISDN channel to inform the terminal connector 3 about the predicted result. Thus, the connection which recognized optimum access point is attained prior to actual connection.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for connecting to a certain network, among a plurality of access points available to a user for the network, a congestion state up to a communication partner (destination destination) in the network and the plurality of access points. The present invention relates to an access point selection / connection system for selecting and connecting to an optimum access point in accordance with the state of a line to an access point, and a storage medium storing the program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, when a user attempts to access a specific domain by dial-up connection to the Internet, the user is subscribed to an Internet Service Provider (Internet Service Prov).
Ider: ISP) (hereinafter, abbreviated as a provider) is connected via a telephone line (or to an access point thereof), and then a specific domain is accessed via the Internet by specifying a domain name (address). I was

[0003] In addition, regarding a dial-up connection to an intranet of a company or the like, a user connects to the access point via a telephone line, and then specifies the name (address) of a target server or the like via the Internet. Access to the target server in the intranet.

[0004]

However, the user does not actually know the congestion status of the network beyond the access point and the status of the telephone line (access line) itself to the access point (whether busy or idle). It could not be known until the connection was made or the connection operation was performed.
For this reason, conventionally, even if the user has signed up with multiple providers or knows the phone numbers of multiple access points, the connection or connection operation is performed at least once, and the transfer speed is low. If you do not recognize that you are busy, you will not be able to change the phone number of the provider or access point and reconnect, and you will be forced to perform complicated operations. However, there is a problem that extra cost is required.

[0005] In terms of providers, the oligopoly situation of large-scale providers owning thick lines in various areas is progressing, and small-sized providers have thick lines only in specific areas. However, there was a problem that it was difficult to gain market share, and it was being culled.

[0006] Furthermore, large-scale providers make capital investments at the peak hours to reduce the busy rate,
There may be multiple access points in the city or adjacent areas.However, as described above, changing access points requires complicated operations on the user side, so users can use them efficiently. It was difficult, resulting in a decrease in equipment utilization.

An object of the present invention is to select an optimal access point from a plurality of access points available to a user and to connect to a network without forcing the user to perform complicated operations and extra costs. It is an object of the present invention to provide an access point selection / connection system which enables the above and a storage medium recording the program.

[0008]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, there is provided an access for selecting one of a plurality of access points available to a user for a certain network and connecting a user terminal to the network. This is a point selection and connection system that periodically collects and accumulates addresses of access points, servers, domains, nodes, etc. on the network and the congestion status between them, and stores the addresses of communication partners from users. In response to the inquiry request including, based on the accumulated information, a route connecting each access point and a communication partner and a throughput are predicted, and an optimum access point is selected from a plurality of access points available to the user according to the prediction. Routing information service center that responds When a connection request has been received, including the less,
A terminal connection device that sends a query request including an address of a communication partner from a user to the routing information providing center, receives a response from the routing information providing center, and connects a user terminal to a network via the selected access point. The communication between the routing information providing center and the terminal connection device is performed using a logically multiplexable line such as a D-channel packet service of an ISDN line.

According to the present invention, an optimum access point can be recognized before an actual connection.
There is no unnecessary cost as in the case of reconnecting to another access point when the transfer rate is noticed during communication, and the actual connection can be made by the terminal connection device. Does not require complicated operations.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an outline of an entire system when the present invention is applied to the Internet.

The present system (End Point Rout)
ting: hereinafter abbreviated as EPR. ) Is roughly divided into
A terminal connecting device 3 for selecting one of a plurality of access points (contracted providers A, B, and C) available to the user for the network (Internet) 1 and connecting the user terminal 2 thereto; Gathers addresses and congestion status of each provider, server, node, etc., predicts the route and throughput from each provider to the user's communication partner (server a or b) via the Internet 1, and selects the optimal provider And a routing information providing center 4 for notifying the terminal connection device 3 of the information. Communication between them is performed using a logically multiplexable line such as a D channel packet service of an ISDN line.

The terminal connection device 3 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a connection device) includes: 1. Install software or hardware that operates under the OS on the user terminal 2; 2. Add software or hardware to a terminal adapter (TA) connected to a serial interface or the like of the user terminal 2; Software or hardware (existing address translation (Netw) is installed in a WAN connection router such as a dial-up connected to the user terminal 2 via LAN.
ork Address Translator: NA
T) by adding functions to minimize the amount of new additions).

In order to minimize the influence on the user interface and the application in the user terminal 2 by any method, a proxy response to the terminal (or its application) 2 and an address translation function after connection are provided, and routing information is provided. A structure that does not make the connection with the providing center (hereinafter, simply referred to as a center) 4 conscious.

FIG. 2 shows the outline of the operation in the connection device 3 including the exchange with the user terminal (or its application) 2, the center 3, and the provider.

(1) Upon receiving a connection request (destination address, URL, etc.) from the user terminal 2, the connection device 3 returns a connection response including the address of the dummy (temporary) access point to the user terminal 2 and D to Center 4
A connection is made using a channel packet or the like, and an inquiry request including the information is made.

(2) The connection device 3 receives from the center 4 a response of an inquiry result including an address (telephone number) and speed information of an optimal provider (access point: connection destination) among contracted providers.

At this time, it is necessary to register in the database in advance.
The stored response information may be compared with the stored setting information such as information on the contracted provider and the result response to determine whether the received response is appropriate.

(3) The connection device 3 makes an actual line connection using the B channel or the like to the address of the selected provider, and when the connection is established, notifies the user terminal 2 of the completion of the connection in the same manner as in normal communication. .

In the line connection, a connection to an access point is made based on acquired information using a channel occupied such as a B channel or a line capable of logical multiplexing such as a D channel.

(4) Thereafter, the connection device 3 relays actual data communication between the user terminal 2 and the communication partner via the provider. At this time, the temporary access point and the actual access point are relayed. Performs address translation with (provider).

When the address of the access point is dynamically changed, normally the application on the user terminal needs to be restarted. However, in the present invention, a one-to-N connection has been used until now. By implementing the used NAT (address translation function) on a one-to-one basis such as a normal terminal adapter or software on the user terminal, it was possible to use it without being aware of the user interface on the user terminal. .

Next, a configuration example of the connection device 3 will be described. Here, an example using an ISDN line is mainly shown.
Connection equipment such as FR (frame relay) and ATM
A similar effect can be obtained by providing a low-speed logical path instead of a channel and controlling the logical paths and the like to a plurality of connection destinations in one physical line according to the information.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the embodiment of the connection device, here an example realized by software mounted on the user terminal. In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes a user terminal incorporating the terminal connection device, and 30 denotes a user terminal. This is a normal TA.

The user terminal 20 includes an existing application 21, an existing socket 22, an existing network protocol (such as TCP / IP) 23, an existing network driver (such as PPP / NDIS) 24, and an existing hardware driver (serial / serial). LAN, etc.) 25, an EPR socket 26, a NAT function unit 27 and an EPR control driver 28.
And a setting information DB (database) 32 (however, parts not related to the present invention are omitted).
In the drawing, solid arrows indicate control information before the IP connection is established, dotted arrows indicate control information after the IP connection is established, and double arrows indicate data flows after the connection is established.

The existing application 21 requests the socket 26 for a request such as an IP address or a URL. The socket 26 returns the connected state to the application 21 and sends the IPR control driver 28
It provides request information such as P address and URL. N
The AT function unit 27 assigns a dummy IP address,
It performs mutual conversion with the IP address assigned on the SDN line side so that the application or driver is not aware of the dial-up itself.

The EPR control driver 28 monitors the connection status such as TA, and if the connection is not established / can be changed, the application 2 is controlled via the socket 26.
1 to obtain the destination IP address and the like, make an inquiry to the center side, decode the response, and make a PPP / IP connection to the most appropriate access point via the D channel or the B channel. Also, the driver 24, 25 is used without using the NAT function.
When exchanging data directly between the providers, the existing driver 24 is notified / recognized of the telephone number / IP address of the connection destination assigned by each provider, and the IP address is changed (at this time, as in the case of the current PPP driver). If the change of the IP address can also be recognized, it is only necessary to dynamically notify the PPP driver of the change of the telephone number of the connection destination.)

The existing function unit 31 of the TA 30 also performs standard processing such as control at the time of connection, response, asynchronous / synchronous PPP conversion, and the like. Basically, the communication between the line side and the serial interface (I / F) is performed. Relay data between the two. Setting information DB
The (database) 32 stores a user name (ID), a password, and the like registered in advance.

FIG. 4 shows another example of the embodiment of the terminal connection device, here an example in which software or hardware is additionally mounted on a terminal adapter connected to a serial interface or the like of a user terminal. In the figure, reference numeral 40 denotes a terminal adapter incorporating a terminal connection device.

The terminal adapter 40 is connected to the existing function unit 4
1. It has a setting information DB (database) 42, a terminal control function unit 43, a NAT function unit 44, a PPP / IP-serial conversion unit 45, and an EPR control function unit 46 (however, parts not related to the present invention are omitted. It is.)

The existing function unit 41 controls, responds,
Routine processing such as asynchronous / synchronous PPP conversion is also performed, but basically the line side and serial interface (I / F)
And relay data between them. The setting information DB (database) 42 stores a pre-registered center, a contracted provider, a telephone number of the access point, and the like, in addition to a pre-registered user name and password.

The terminal control function unit 43 returns a dummy connection completion response to the connection request from the user terminal transmitted via the existing function unit 41, and assigns a dummy IP address to the NAT function unit 44. . The NAT function unit 44 performs mutual conversion between an IP address assigned on the ISDN line side and a dummy IP address assigned on the serial side.

The EPR control function unit 46 includes the NAT function unit 4
4 to obtain the destination IP address, make an inquiry to the center side, decode the response, and make a PPP / IP connection to the optimal access point via the D channel or the B channel.

[0033] The user terminal 2 is a normal one.
A to A40 via serial interface
A call is controlled by a T command or the like, and after the connection is established, all data is decrypted and processed as IP.

FIG. 5 shows still another example of the embodiment of the terminal connection device, in this case, the NA connected to the user terminal by LAN.
This figure shows an example in which software or hardware is additionally mounted on a router with a T function, and is realized in the figure.
Reference numeral 0 denotes a router incorporating a terminal connection device.

The router 50 includes an existing LAN-side interface (I / F) 51 and an existing routing function unit 5.
2. Existing TA function unit 53, existing NAT function unit 54,
A setting information DB (database) 55 and an EPR control function unit 56 are provided (however, parts not related to the present invention are omitted). In the figure, solid arrows indicate control information before the IP connection is established, double arrows indicate data flows after the connection is established, and dotted arrows indicate flows of information added in accordance with the EPR.

When functioning as a normal router, the routing function unit 52 performs functions such as IP routing, control of routing information, and control of a dial-up destination (DDR) according to a destination. The TA function unit 53
It also performs routine processing such as connection control, response, and asynchronous / synchronous PPP conversion, but basically interprets / controls the line-side protocol. The NAT function unit 54 performs the IP / TCP / UDP of the packet received from the client (user).
Interpret the header, and if it is an external request, the requesting IP
The address is converted to an address assigned to its own WAN I / F and transmitted to the WAN. For a packet received from the WAN, the request source on the LAN is determined based on the received port number and the like. The destination address is converted as a packet addressed to the side terminal and transmitted to the LAN side.

The setting information DB (database) 55 stores pre-registered user names, passwords, and the like, as well as pre-registered centers, contracted providers, telephone numbers of their access points, and the like. EP
The R control function unit 56 obtains the destination IP address using the NAT function unit 54, makes an inquiry to the center side, decodes the response, and establishes the PPP / IP connection to the optimal access point via the D channel or the B channel. Do.

In any of the mounting methods, it is possible to accumulate / statistically process the results of past inquiries and make a certain judgment without inquiring of the center. In this case, it is more advantageous to implement the software on the user terminal in terms of the storage capacity and the processing capacity.

Also, based on only the line speed up to the destination, if the user does not need to frequently update the information, the routing information is filed, downloaded to the user terminal or TA, and the judgment is made by local processing. May be.

By efficiently combining these two types of processing with the inquiry to the center, the end user can enjoy the merits of the present system without incurring unnecessary costs.

Here, unless the message exchanged between the connection device and the center is very simple and short, it will adversely affect the response and the load on the center. In addition, when starting a service in a situation where the communication fee is not a fixed rate system, it is necessary to reduce the amount of information as much as possible. Furthermore, in order to prevent the injustice that even if a single account is set for a plurality of devices, it is necessary to perform authentication by issuing a number (this information is unnecessary because it is described in the LAPD frame).

Therefore, the items of the message exchanged between the connection device and the center include at least (request) the connection device → center user ID, password, sequence ID: terminal unique, request type: normal / retransmission, etc. …, URL / I
P address type, data (URL / IP address) (Response) Center → Connected device Request sequence ID, Response type: Normal / Unable to determine / Other… ..Response contents: Provider ID (number) registered by user is considered necessary be able to.

In order to establish with the above data, when joining a service, a user enters a provider name (encoded) and an ID (about 4 digits) for mapping in his / her TA / router. Register at a minimum,
For TA / router, center number, provider ID
It is necessary to register the telephone number of the corresponding access point.

In the above description, it is assumed that the user registers (encodes) all the providers to be used, but it is impossible for the center to actually conduct an on-the-spot investigation of information on thousands or tens of thousands of providers. Near possible. Further, when it is desired to select from a plurality of access points of one provider, it cannot be determined. In addition, if there is a means such as access via a company, it is impossible to make them a comparison target with the above interface.

Therefore, the response code is set based on the answer content: the provider registered by the user + the access point ID (numerical). The answer content is: the provider registered by the user + the access point ID (numerical) + (expected throughput (k
(bit / s) x access line usage rate), the TA side will "go through the company if a response of 10 kbit / s or less arrives", or "providers that are not supported by the center but have contracts" The system can be made available by setting such as “speed this much”.

FIG. 6 shows an example of an embodiment of a routing information providing center, here an example corresponding to a service for Internet connection. In the figure, reference numeral 61 denotes a response investigation agent server, and 62 denotes a DB (database) / engine. A server, 63 is a communication server, 64 is a user management server, and 65 is a management terminal.

Response investigation agent server 61
Periodically checks the address of each access point, server, domain, node, etc. on the Internet from a management device on the Internet, and checks the congestion (traffic) between each access point, server, domain, node, etc. on the Internet. ) It has a function to periodically check the status etc. from devices on the Internet. In this case, it is important to adjust how often and how many layers are to be investigated in consideration of resource and load conditions.

The DB (database) / engine server 62 stores traffic information / network configuration information D
B, has a route selection engine (main engine) together with the user management DB and the billing / settlement information DB, and responds to inquiries from the communication server.

The communication server 63 uses a D-channel packet to receive a survey (inquiry) request from the user terminal, relay the request to the DB server, and send a response from the relay server to the user terminal. The user management server 64 needs to accept registration (online sign-up) and various entry changes on the Web, and therefore accepts and processes them. The changes are reflected on the DB server.

The management terminal 65 performs manual user registration (management), various kinds of statistical processing, creation of billing / settlement information, and the like (functions such as monitoring of a maintenance server / service control and the like may be implemented here). ).

FIG. 7 shows an outline of the operation of the routing information providing center in the system of the present invention.

(1) When the communication server 63 receives a survey (inquiry) request from the user terminal and sends request information such as a destination address and a URL and a caller number to the DB / engine server 62, the DB / engine server 62 Authentication is performed based on the user information stored in the management DB.

(2) The DB / engine server 62 predicts a route and a throughput based on the information stored in the traffic information / network configuration information DB, selects an optimal provider (route), and, via the communication server 63, the user terminal side. To respond to

(3) Further, the DB / engine server 62 performs a charging process for the corresponding user based on the charging information stored in the charging / settlement information DB.

(4) The response investigation agent server 61 receives an address and a congestion status investigation request including a predetermined schedule and an investigation target from the DB / engine server 62, investigates on the Internet, and reports the result to the DB.
/ Reflect to the traffic information / network configuration information DB of the engine server 62.

(5) The user management server 64 stores the DB /
Based on the information stored in the user management DB and the billing / settlement information DB of the engine server 62, it processes information inquiries such as user authentication, usage status / charges, and user management of the result of user registration / change etc. reception processing. Reflect in DB.

FIG. 8 shows another example of the embodiment of the routing information providing center, here an example corresponding to a single provider / enterprise. In the figure, reference numeral 61 'denotes a response investigation agent server, which periodically investigates addresses of access points, servers, nodes, and the like on a network from a management device on the network.
It has a function to periodically check the status of congestion (traffic) between nodes and the like from devices on the network.

Reference numeral 62 'denotes a DB (database) / engine server, which is substantially the same as the DB (database) / engine server 62 in FIG. 6 except that it does not have a charging / settlement information DB. A management terminal 65 'is substantially the same as the management terminal 65 in FIG. 6 except that charging / settlement information is not created. Communication server 6
3 and the user management server 64 are substantially the same as those in FIG.

The operation of this center is almost the same as that described with reference to FIG. 7 except that there is no billing process.

When the present invention is applied to remote access within a single provider or a company, etc., the use status of the line of the access server and the like are determined by SNMP (Simple Net).
work Management Protocol)
MIB (MessageInformation Ba)
Se) may be obtained, but there is a limit to the method of measuring the congestion status on the Internet side using the ping method.

Then, the router on the Internet is S
By utilizing the NMP agent, it is possible to acquire the line type, speed, and traffic of the interface.

This information and the routing information (route setting) can be known from the contracted provider by performing TraceRoute to a certain destination.
On the center side, it is possible to create an "Internet map with line thickness" as static information. In other words, by acquiring all the necessary information of SNMP, Trace Route
Information other than Trip becomes unnecessary, and Trace
It is also possible to acquire and derive route information other than the route that passes through Route.

On the other hand, it is possible to obtain more accurate information by periodically measuring and adding congestion or the like by a temporal parameter as a weighting element. According to this method, the load on the processing and the network can be reduced as compared with the method of periodically patroling all the domains.

Of course, since the route and line of the Internet are constantly changing, the survey cannot be completed once.
ICM once a second if all domains are 10 million
It takes 3 months or more even if Trace Route is performed in P. For this reason, the efficiency can be improved by setting a ranking based on the frequency of inquiries, and providing a mechanism for preferentially investigating places where inquiries frequently come.

As an example, if there is any inquiry, 1
Review within a month, if 10 or more cases per week, review within 1 week, if 10 or more times a day, review again the next day, 1 hour
If the number is zero or more, scheduling such as reinvestigation is performed within one hour.

Also, as a result of the investigation, how to evaluate a place where a response does not return is also an issue (excluding packet loss due to congestion / collision).

The point here is how to store the "Internet map" in the DB in an efficient manner,
To use (numerical representation).

Using the destination address, determine the route that will be used from the routing information system table,
Obtain the logical bottleneck speed from the node map system table.

This is calculated for the provider registered by the user, and the response time and the line usage rate, and when the node is an access server, a parameter which emphasizes the line busy rate is added and compared. Calculate the expected speed.

The means for acquiring traffic on the center side and predicting speed information will be described in more detail.

Conventionally, it is assumed that devices for measuring traffic and routes are installed in pairs at the destination and the source, or devices that monitor as agents are installed on the routes between the source and the destination. In the present invention, in order to respond to inquiries from users at different entrances, various types of information are acquired from a center that is not on the route between the user and the destination, and based on this, the route from the user to the destination and the congestion status are determined. Predict. 1. A get is performed on a router on the Internet, which is an SMNP agent, to obtain the number of interfaces, interface types, line speeds, a list of routing tables, and the like. 2. Obtain a domain list from a domain management organization such as InterNIC or JPNIC. It is public and is automatically available via anonymous FTP. This is obtained, and the difference from the previous day is extracted. 3. A server for each newly added domain (for example,
Generally, www. ? ? ? ? . co. jp et al. are mostly known), traceroute
At step e, a route from the center to each domain is searched, and at the same time, Round Trip is measured. 4. When these are combined, the following database is created, and the route and the bottleneck line portion, the estimated delay and the congestion state are derived from the request information from the terminal.

[0072]

[Table 1]

The actual Internet is constituted by a complicated network as described above, and the route through which it passes is determined by a routing table set in each router. Therefore, the destination from the terminal is RouterA → RouterC → Ro
It does not necessarily pass through the route called uterE. Also,
Even if the route from the terminal to the destination is uniquely determined,
Normally, traffic and congestion cannot be measured from devices not on the route.

Therefore, the route from the center to each domain (destination) is acquired by using trace route, and the address of the network device (Router) between them is acquired.

(Example) Destination 1 ... Router F (10.10.26.1) → Router
B (10.10.21.1) → Router D (10.10.
23.1) → Router E (10.104.1) → Destination 1 (10.20.1.1) Destination 2 ... Router F (10.10.26.1) → Router
B (10.10.21.1) → Router D (10.10.
23.1) → Destination 2 (10.20.2.1) Also, the route from the center to the provider's access device can be obtained in the same manner.

(Example) Access server: Router F (1
0.10.26.1) → Router A (10.10.20.
1) → Access server (10.10.10.1) At the same time, the delay time between routers and the like can be obtained. The information is organized as follows (/ = none, *
= Unknown,-= no connection).

[0077]

[Table 2]

From the above results, the unknown part is Route
rA ← → RouterB, RouterB ← → Rout
erC.

In this state, a blank portion may occur. However, by using a contract with the access point such as a plurality of different providers on the center side, the same destination can be passed through different routes. As a result, most of the information can be filled with the obtained information.

If there are the following two routes for accessing the destination 1, the access server to be accessed by the terminal is selected as follows.

Route 1: Access server 1 → Router A →
Router C → Router E → Destination 1 Route 2: Access server 2 → Router B → Router D → Ro
uterE → Destination 1 From the delay time between routers mentioned above, route 1 is 5ms + 5ms
+5 ms = 15 ms, and path 2 is 5 ms + 10 ms + 35 ms
= 50 ms. Thus, the center can notify the user terminal of the connection to the access server 1 because the access can be made earlier by selecting the route 1.

The DB configuration required on the center side is mainly as follows. The physical arrangement may be distributed in consideration of the load and the like.・ Traffic information cache table (weighted traffic information retrieved according to request and cached for a certain period of time) URL, IP address, throughput, provider serial number, access point number, creation date and time, survival time, response time, logic Bottleneck speed, number of accesses ・ Traffic information response table (Measures and accumulates responses from the agent server to a certain node.) Provider serial number, access point number, destination node serial number, response time, measurement date, reference count ・Node map management table Node serial number, node name, number of interfaces, node type Node map line information table Node serial number, interface serial number, interface IP address, line speed, number Utilization routing information management table node serial number, Distnation number, routing protocol type (Static, BGP, RIP, IGR
P,... Complex) ・ Routing information table Node serial number, Destination address, Cost
/ Metric type, Cost / Metric value ・ Provider information table Provider ID, provider name, domain name, number of access points, correction coefficient ・ Provider access point table Provider serial number, access point number, name, telephone number, access server node number, correction Coefficients-User information table User ID, user status, other user information (address, name, payment information, etc.)-User billing table User ID, target date, number of uses-User payment table User ID, target year, month, number of uses, amount of money , Correction amount,
Payment status ・ User registration information table User ID, (Target provider ID, Target access point number) × n (If there is no limitation on the number of target connections, the number of tables will be multiple) ・ User authentication table User ID, Registered telephone Number, password ・ Charge management table Basic charge, inquiry unit price ・ Monthly charge management table Correction amount In addition, a statistics management table which totals the inquiry status of each provider, each destination, etc., a system management table which has the status of system / service, There is an agent control table for scheduling the agent server.

[0083]

As described above, according to the present invention, the throughput as seen from the end user is improved. The end user, when recognizing that it is slow after connecting, and changing the connection destination, has at least The cost of 10 yen was required, but if this mechanism is used, it is possible to select the connection destination with high speed with the cost of packet + service fee = several yen / time.・ Create a field where small-scale providers can play an active role ・ Establish a routing information service center for commercialization ・ Provide a contract form in which multiple providers are bundled, allowing users to make a single contract Efficient connections can be made, and the provider can use the lines and facilities efficiently, and get customers and connection fees lost due to overflow. You can, by the user who had given up the use of the time crowded with-story moderate a possible connection, expected an increase in traffic revenue, and the like.

Also, not only a plurality of providers,
Whether it ’s a single provider or remote access at your company,
It is applicable if the center returns a response according to the busy state of the access line or the traffic, and particularly large-scale providers can make planned and efficient capital investment and operation.

Further, the present invention is applicable not only to the D channel packet of ISDN but also to the B channel packet, ATM, F
The present invention is also applicable to services that can be multiplexed such as R.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the entire system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of the operation of the terminal connection device in the system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment of a terminal connection device;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing another example of the embodiment of the terminal connection device;

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing still another example of the embodiment of the terminal connection device;

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an embodiment of a routing information providing center.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of the operation of the routing information providing center in the system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing another example of the embodiment of the routing information providing center.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Internet, 2, 20: user terminal, 3: terminal connection device, 4: routing information providing center, 2
1: application, 22: socket, 23: network protocol, 24: network driver, 2
5: hardware driver, 26: EPR socket,
27: NAT function unit, 28: EPR control driver, 3
0, 40: terminal adapter, 31, 41: existing function unit, 32, 42: setting information DB, 43: terminal control function unit, 44: NAT function unit, 45: PPP / IP-serial conversion unit, 46: EPR control Function part, 50: router,
51: LAN side interface (I / F), 52: routing function unit, 53: TA function unit, 54: NAT function unit, 55: setting information DB (database), 56: EP
R control function unit, 61, 61 ': response investigation agent server, 62, 62': DB (database) /
Engine server, 63: communication server, 64: user management server, 65, 65 ': management terminal.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued from the front page F term (reference) DD10 JJ18 JJ25 JJ27 KK56

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An access point selection and connection system for selecting one of a plurality of access points available to a user for a network and connecting a user terminal to the network, comprising: The addresses of servers, domains, nodes, etc., and the congestion status between them are periodically collected and stored, and in response to a query request including the address of the communication partner from the user, each access is made based on the stored information. A routing information providing center that predicts a route and a throughput connecting a point and a communication partner and selects an optimal access point from a plurality of available access points according to the user according to the prediction, and a destination address from the user terminal. When a connection request is received A terminal connection device for sending to the routing information providing center as an inquiry request including the address of the other party, receiving a response from the routing information providing center, and connecting the user terminal to the network via the selected access point; An access point selection and connection system, wherein communication between the routing information providing center and a terminal connection device is performed using a logically multiplexable line such as a D-channel packet service of an ISDN line. 2. If the line from the user terminal to the selected access point cannot be connected due to busy or the like, an inquiry request is sent again to the routing information providing center, a response is received, and this is repeated until connection is possible. The access point selection / connection system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A routing information providing center comprising: means for periodically acquiring addresses of access points, servers, domains, nodes, and the like on a network from a management device on the network and storing the addresses in a storage device; Means for periodically acquiring the congestion status and the like between each access point, server, domain, node, etc. from a device on the network, creating a database together with the address and storing the database in a storage device; Means for predicting the route and throughput connecting each access point and the communication partner by searching the database when receiving an inquiry request including the address of the communication partner; The least congested access point Access point selection connection system according to claim 1, wherein further comprising a means responsive to the address select the terminal connecting device. 4. Upon receiving a connection request including a destination address from a user terminal, the terminal connection device sends the request to a routing information providing center as an inquiry request including the address of a communication partner from the user, and temporarily accesses the user terminal. Means for returning the address of the point, means for receiving the response of the address of the selected access point from the routing information providing center, and means for connecting the user terminal to the network via the selected access point, and address of the connected access point 4. The access point selection / connection system according to claim 3, further comprising means for converting the address of the temporary access point with the address of the temporary access point. 5. The terminal connection device is realized by software or hardware mounted on a user terminal or software or hardware mounted on a terminal adapter or a router connected to the user terminal. The access point selection / connection system according to claim 1. 6. The plurality of access points available to a user include at least one access point in each of two or more Internet service providers to which the user has subscribed, or one Internet service provider to which the user has subscribed. The access point selection / connection system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the access point is a plurality of access points. 7. A storage medium storing a program of an access point selection and connection system for selecting one of a plurality of access points available to a user for a certain network and connecting the user terminal to the network, Means for, when read by a computer, causing the computer to periodically acquire addresses of access points, servers, domains, nodes, etc. on a network from a management device on the network and to store the addresses in a storage device; Means for periodically acquiring the congestion status between the access points, servers, domains, nodes, etc. on the network from the devices on the network, creating a database together with the addresses and storing the database in a storage device, The address of the communication partner from the user Means for predicting the route and throughput connecting each access point to the communication partner by receiving the inquiry request from the database; and the most congestion degree among the plurality of access points available to the user according to the prediction result. A storage medium storing a program for an access point selection / connection system, characterized by realizing a routing information providing center having means for selecting an access point with a small number of addresses and responding the address to a terminal connection device. 8. A storage medium storing a program of an access point selection and connection system for selecting one of a plurality of access points available to a user for a certain network and connecting the user terminal to the network, When the program is read by a computer, when the computer receives a connection request including a destination address from a user terminal, the program sends the connection request to a routing information providing center as an inquiry request including the address of a communication partner from the user terminal. Means for returning the address of the temporary access point to the terminal, means for receiving the response of the address of the selected access point from the routing information providing center, and means for connecting the user terminal to the network via the selected access point; Storage medium storing the access point selection connection system program, characterized in that to realize a terminal connection and means for converting the address of access point the address of the temporary access point.