JP2006254051A - Method and device for presenting resource usage information, and terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to properly decide the timing for requesting resource assurance. <P>SOLUTION: An information-collecting part 42 collects information representing resource usage among the resource information used for managing a resource in a resource-managing server. A resource map generating part 46 generates a resource map by using the information-representing resource usage which is collected. A transmitting/receiving part 41 transmits the information of a generated resource map to a terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing resource usage status information, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for providing resource usage status information of a communication network to a terminal that uses a resource securing service of the communication network.

  When content such as audio and video is provided using a communication network, especially an IP (Internet Protocol) network, if congestion occurs due to a usage request exceeding the resource amount of the communication path, the communication quality is increased due to packet loss. Will deteriorate. Resource management in the network layer has been studied for the purpose of preventing such degradation of communication quality. One of these types of resource management is to use a resource management device (resource management server) that is independent of the router (node) that constitutes the communication network. There is a method for managing usage status and paying out appropriate resources in response to a resource securing request from a user terminal or the like. A conventional example will be described below.

  Before starting operation of a communication network, first, routing information in the communication network is collected. This routing information includes the resource amount and connection information of each link in the communication network. Next, a communication path through which the packet passes is calculated based on the connection information of each link, and a path information table is created based on the calculation result. Also, a link information table is created from the resource amount of each link. This link information table manages the maximum resource amount of each link and the currently used resource amount (used resource amount).

  After starting the operation of the communication network, when the resource management server accepts a communication service use request (resource securing request), it is necessary for the communication from the route information table based on the requested communication IP address. Identify the link. Then, referring to the link information table, it is checked whether or not the resource amount necessary for the communication can be used for each identified link.

  As a result, when a sufficient resource amount is available for all the specified links, a permission response is made to the resource securing request, and the resource usage amount of the specified link is set in the resource information table. A process of adding the amount of resources allocated to communication is performed. Conversely, when the amount of resources available for any link is insufficient, a rejection response is made to the resource securing request (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1).

Communication quality is ensured by using a communication service in response to a permission response for a resource securing request.
After that, when the use of the communication service ends, the resources secured up to that point are released immediately.

JP 2003-258855 A Yaguchi et al., "A Proposal and Specific Example of Resource Management Method Using Management Server in Large IP Network", IEICE General Conference, B-6-31 (2002)

  In conventional resource management, in response to a resource securing request from a terminal, only a response to permit or reject the request is made. For this reason, since the user who has received the rejection response cannot know when the resource can be secured, the resource securing request has to be repeated in the dark clouds in order to receive the resource securing. Even if there is a resource release after receiving a rejection response, and the user who receives the rejection response has an opportunity to secure resources, depending on the timing when the user makes a resource securing request after that, resources are secured by a third party. Sometimes it happened.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to allow a user to appropriately determine the timing of making a resource securing request.

  In order to achieve such an object, a resource usage status providing apparatus according to the present invention has resource information of a communication network including a plurality of nodes and links between the nodes, and receives a request from a terminal. In the resource management system that secures the resources necessary for communication performed by the information based on the resource information, information extracting means for extracting information indicating the resource usage status of the communication network from the resource information, and information indicating the extracted resource usage status And an information transmission means for transmitting to the terminal.

  The resource usage status providing apparatus further includes information creating means for creating information on whether or not resources can be secured for each link based on a request from the terminal, and the information transmitting means further sends the created information on whether or not resources can be secured to the terminal. You may make it transmit.

Further, this resource usage status providing device includes resource map creation means for creating a resource map in which symbols representing nodes and links are arranged so as to represent a connection relationship between the nodes and links and information representing the usage status of the links is added. In addition, the information transmitting unit may transmit the created resource map as information indicating the resource usage status.
This resource map creation means can make a symbol on a path used for terminal communication distinguishable from other symbols. For example, the symbols on the route and other symbols can be distinguished from each other by making the colors different from each other.

  Further, the resource usage status information providing device adds an identifier acquisition means for acquiring at least one of an identifier of a source terminal and an identifier of a destination terminal of a route specified by the terminal based on the resource usage status, and the acquired identifier Then, a message creating unit that creates a resource securing request message and a resource securing request unit that makes a resource securing request using the created resource securing request message may be further provided.

  Further, the terminal according to the present invention uses the resource usage of the communication network transmitted from the resource usage status information providing apparatus in the terminal that requests the resource management apparatus that manages the resources of the communication network to secure the resources necessary for communication. Receiving means for receiving information representing the situation, display means for displaying the resource usage status based on the received information, and at least one of the identifier of the originating terminal and the identifier of the terminating terminal specified on the basis of the resource usage status By acquiring the identifier acquisition means for acquiring one, the message creation means for adding the acquired identifier to create a resource reservation request message, and transmitting the generated resource reservation request message, Transmission means for making a request.

In addition, the resource usage status providing method according to the present invention receives a request from a terminal connectable to a communication network including a plurality of nodes and links between the nodes, and allocates resources necessary for communication performed by the terminal to the communication network. Determining for each link whether or not it can be secured based on the resource information, extracting the information indicating the resource usage status of the communication network from the resource information, and transmitting the information indicating the extracted resource usage status to the terminal And a step of performing.
Furthermore, you may make it provide the step which produces the information of the resource reservation availability for every link, and the step which transmits the created resource reservation availability information to a terminal.

Also, a step of creating a resource map in which symbols representing nodes and links are arranged so as to represent a connection relationship between the nodes and the links and information indicating the usage status of the links is added, and the created resource map is transmitted to the terminal. A step.
The step of creating the resource map can make a symbol on a path used for communication of a terminal distinguishable from other symbols. For example, the symbols on the route and other symbols can be distinguished from each other by making the colors different from each other.

Moreover, you may make it further provide the step which displays a resource usage condition based on the information received in the terminal.
A step of acquiring at least one of an identifier of a source terminal and an identifier of a destination terminal of a route specified based on a resource usage state; a step of generating a resource reservation request message by adding the acquired identifier; A step of making a resource reservation request using the resource reservation request message that has been made may be further included.

  In the present invention, resource usage information is extracted from communication network resource information included in the resource management system and transmitted to a terminal that makes a resource securing request. As a result, the resource usage status can be confirmed at the terminal. Since the amount of resources that can be used for each link constituting the route is known from this resource usage status, the user can appropriately determine the timing at which resources can be secured. Therefore, resource reservation can be received without repeating the resource reservation request to the dark clouds. In addition, it is possible to receive resources without going ahead by a third party.

  In the present invention, information on whether or not resources can be secured for each link based on a resource securing request from the terminal is created and transmitted to the terminal. This makes it possible to confirm whether or not resources can be secured for each link in the terminal. Therefore, when the resource reservation request is rejected, the user can know which link on the route has failed to secure the resource.

In the present invention, by creating a resource map based on information on resource usage status, the visibility of the resource usage status is enhanced.
Furthermore, by making it possible to distinguish symbols on the route from other symbols, it becomes easy to specify the route in the resource map.

  In the present invention, when the user designates a route based on the resource usage status information, the terminal acquires the identifier of the originating terminal and the identifier of the destination terminal of the designated route, and adds these identifiers. Create a resource allocation request message. Thereby, it is possible to easily make a resource securing request specifying a route.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1. Overall Configuration of Resource Management System FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the resource management system.
The resource management system includes a resource management server 2 that manages resources in the communication network 1, an application server 3 that relays a resource securing request and a response between the terminal T (for example, the terminal T1) and the resource management server 2, And a resource usage status information providing server 4 that provides information indicating the resource usage status and the resource securing status in the communication network 1 to the terminal T (for example, the terminal T1).

  Here, the communication network 1 to be managed is a communication network based on the Internet protocol (IP), and includes a plurality of routers R (R1 to R6) serving as nodes, terminals T (T1 to T4), and the like. Communication lines connecting the routers R are called links L (L1 to L7), and communication lines connecting the routers R and the terminals T are called access lines AL (AL1 to AL4).

A resource in the communication network 1 refers to an access line and a link that constitute a route between two terminals (source terminal and destination terminal) that perform communication.
The resource usage status in the communication network 1 refers to the amount of resources currently in use with respect to the maximum amount of resources of each route and each link in the communication network 1 and the amount of remaining resources that can be used.
The resource securing status refers to whether or not resources can be secured in each link constituting a route for which a resource securing request has been made.

2. Display example of resource usage status and resource securing status The resource usage status information providing server 4 creates information indicating the resource usage status and the resource securing status described in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) or the like, and transmits the information to the terminal T. The terminal T displays the received information on a GUI (Graphical User Interface) using a browser or the like.

  The resource usage status and the resource securing status can be displayed using a resource map. The resource map is an arrangement of symbols (hereinafter referred to as “objects”) representing routers R, links L, etc. in a simple graphic so as to represent actual connection relationships. The identifiers of router R and link L can be used in place of or with the object. A display example of the resource map is shown below.

2 to 7 are diagrams for explaining a first display example of the resource map.
In FIG. 2, the oval object represents the router R, and the rectangular object represents the link L. Note that it is not necessary to display all router R and link L objects in the communication network 1 in the resource map, and at least objects on the route from the source terminal T1 to the destination terminal T3 that requested the resource securing, As long as the surrounding objects are displayed.

There are various display methods for the object of the link L.
First, as shown in FIG. 3, one link can be divided into two or more objects and displayed. For example, when a bandwidth that can be used for each service is allocated in advance, an object is displayed for each service, as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), it is possible to divide and display the band in use and the unused band. Each object may be color-coded.

  Various information can be added to the object of the link L. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, it is possible to add information such as being under construction, being out of order, being congested, and scheduled to be opened in the future. These pieces of information are represented by patterns and marks attached to the objects.

Further, when there are a plurality of routes for the same ground, as shown in FIG. 5A, all routes can be displayed and their respective priorities can be added, or FIG. ), It is also possible to display only the route with the highest priority. Here, the priority order is determined by, for example, the cost value of route information by OSPF.
In addition, when there are a plurality of links to the same ground, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, all the links can be represented by one object.

  The resource map can display the actual physical link speed and the maximum resource amount or the remaining resource amount of the link L together with the objects of the router R and the link L. The resource amount can of course be represented by a number, but the visibility of the resource amount can be improved by representing the width of the rectangular object (the length of the short side of the rectangle). It is also possible to display the resource amount by designating each link, each route, each user, and each application.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, the resource map may display each ID (for example, “R1”, “L1”, etc.) in the vicinity of the object representing the router R or the link L together. it can.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the route from the source terminal T1 to the destination terminal T3 can be displayed in the resource map so as to be distinguishable. Here, the routers R adjacent to each other on the route are connected by an arrow so that the route can be discriminated. Alternatively, the objects of the router R and the link L themselves on the route may be distinguishable from other objects. For example, objects on the path can be identified by displaying the objects on the path in a different color or pattern from the other objects, or by shadowing only the objects on the path. The route can be determined with.

  It is also possible to blink the objects of the link L constituting the route from the calling terminal T1 to the called terminal T3 in order from the calling terminal T1 side. Thereby, the user can easily know the direction of arrival and departure. Moreover, since the determination of whether or not resources can be secured is performed from the calling terminal T1 side, the order in which the determination is performed is also known by the blinking display of the objects.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7C, the resource map can indicate whether or not resources can be secured for each link in the route from the source terminal T1 to the destination terminal T3 that has made a resource securing request. Here, the word “OK” is displayed near the object of each link L when the resource can be secured, and “NG” when it cannot. As a result, it can be seen which link L on the route cannot secure the resource. If there is a link L in which a resource cannot be secured in the middle of the route, since it is not determined whether the resource can be secured for the link L on the destination terminal T3 side, the characters "OK" or "NG" Do not show.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second display example of the resource map.
In this display example, only the objects of the routers R1, R2, R3, and R4 and the links L1, L3, and L4 on the route from the source terminal T1 that requested the resource securing to the destination terminal T3 are displayed side by side. They may be displayed side by side in a vertical row. The IDs of the router R and the link L, and whether or not resources can be secured can be displayed together, as in the first display example.

  When the terminal T1 uses a moving picture application, the resource map can be displayed before the application acquires moving picture data and assembles and reproduces it, thereby notifying the user of the resource usage status and the resource securing status. Further, the resource map may be inserted into the moving image or displayed in a separate window. You can also use window pop-ups.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a third display example of the resource map.
In this display example, the object is not displayed, and the IDs of the routers R1, R2, R3, R4 and the links L1, L3, L4 on the route from the source terminal T1 to the destination terminal T3 that requested the resource securing are arranged in a horizontal row. Display side by side. They may be displayed side by side in a vertical row. It is also possible to display whether or not resources can be secured. Such a display format is called “simple character string display”.
A window popup or the like can be used for this simple character string display.

10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating a fourth display example of the resource map.
As shown in FIG. 10, in this display example, only the objects of routers R1, R2, R3, and R4 and links L1, L3, and L4 on the route from the source terminal T1 to which the resource securing request is made to the destination terminal T3 are displayed. Display in a line. In addition, information indicating the resource usage status is displayed in the vertical direction for each link. Here, the maximum resource amount 51 of the link L, the resource amount requested to secure resources (requested resource amount) 52, the resource amount already in use (used resource amount) 53, and the remaining available resource amount 54 are increased. Are displayed in order. Such a display format is called “matrix display”.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the resource map is longer than the displayable range 55 on the screen, the resource map having a length corresponding to the displayable range 55 can be displayed partly. In this case, display end point objects 56a and 56b are arranged at the display start position and display end position of the resource map, respectively.
In this matrix display, it is also possible to display objects arranged in a vertical row and information indicating the resource usage status in a horizontal direction. In addition, the IDs of the router R and the link L, and whether or not resources can be secured can be displayed together, as in the first display example.

3. Resource management server 3-1. Configuration of Resource Management Server FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the resource management server 2.
The resource management server 2 includes a database 21, a transmission / reception unit 22, a message analysis unit 23, a resource control unit 24, a response processing unit 25, and an information extraction unit 26.

The database 21 stores various information necessary for resource management of the communication network 1.
The transmission / reception unit 22 includes a communication interface, and transmits and receives various messages between the application server 3 and the resource usage status information providing server 4. For example, a message such as a resource securing request and a release request sent from the application server 3 is received, and a response message is transmitted to the application server 3. Further, it receives a message requesting transmission of information relating to the resource usage status and the securing status sent from the resource usage status information providing server 4 and transmits the requested information to the resource usage status information providing server 4 as a response.

The message analysis unit 23 analyzes the message received by the transmission / reception unit 22 and outputs the analysis result to the resource control unit 24 or the information extraction unit 25.
The resource control unit 24 performs processing such as securing the requested resource and releasing the secured resource.
The response processing unit 26 creates a response message according to the processing result by the resource control unit and outputs the response message to the transmission / reception unit 22. Specifically, a response message granting a resource securing request is created when resource securing succeeds, and a response message rejecting the resource securing request is created when failed.
The information extraction unit 25 extracts information on the resource usage status and securing status from the database 21 and outputs the information to the transmission / reception unit 22.

  Here, information stored in the database 21 will be described. The database 21 stores a node information table, a link information table, a path information table, a resource securing request table, and other information as information necessary for the resource management described above.

  The node information table is a table indicating information on nodes in the communication network 1. Specifically, the node information table 61 shown in FIG. 13 includes an identifier “node ID” of all routers R in the communication network 1, an IP address “node address” of the router R, failure information “failure flag” of the router R, The IP address “accommodating terminal address” of the terminal T accommodated by the router R is included. The “failure flag” is set when a failure occurs in the router R. For example, the value of this item is normally “0”, and when a failure occurs, the value changes from “0” to “1”.

  The link information table is a table indicating information on links in the communication network 1. Specifically, the link information table 62 shown in FIG. 14 includes an identifier “link ID” of all the links L in the communication network 1, an IP address “originating node address” of the originating node of the link L, and an arrival of the link L. The items of the IP address “destination node address” of the side node, the maximum resource amount of the link L “maximum resource amount”, the resource amount currently in use of the link L “used resource amount”, and the failure information “failure flag” of the link L Consists of. The “failure flag” is set when a failure occurs in the link L.

  The route information table is a table showing a route from one edge node in the communication network 1 to another edge node. Specifically, like the route information table 63 shown in FIG. 15, the identifier “route ID” of all routes in the communication network 1, the identifier of the edge node that is the origin of the route “originating edge node ID”, It consists of items such as an identifier “edge node ID of destination” of an edge node as an end point and an identifier “list of link IDs” of each link constituting the route.

  The resource reservation request table is a table created by a resource reservation request. Specifically, as in the resource reservation request table 64 shown in FIG. 16, an identifier “reservation request ID” that is individually assigned for each resource reservation request, an identifier “user ID” of the user who made the resource reservation request, IP address of the terminal “originating terminal address”, IP address of the terminating terminal “addressing terminal address”, resource amount “requested resource amount” requested to be secured, identifier “route ID” of a route between the originating terminal and the destination terminal , Of the links constituting the route, the item “NG link ID” is an identifier of the link that failed to secure the resource.

3-2. Operation of Resource Management Server FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing from resource allocation to resource release by the resource management server 2.

3-2-1. Securing resources First, an operation in which the resource management server 2 secures necessary resources in the communication network 1 when a user uses a communication service between the terminals T1 and T3 will be described.

  When the terminal 1 transmits a request for using a communication service between the terminal T1 and the terminal T3 to the application server 3, the application server 3 generates a resource securing request message in response to the use request and transmits it to the resource management server 2. . In the resource securing request message, a message number indicating that this message is a resource securing request, a user ID, an IP address of the originating terminal T1, an IP address of the terminating terminal T3, and a resource amount necessary for communication are added.

  In the resource management server 2, when the transmission / reception unit 22 receives this resource reservation request message (step S1, YES), the message analysis unit 23 determines that this message is a “resource reservation request” from the message number added to the message. (Step S2, YES). Further, the user ID added to the message, the IP addresses of the calling terminal T1 and the called terminal T3, and the resource amount necessary for communication are extracted.

  Next, the resource control unit 24 refers to the node information table 61 shown in FIG. 13, and accommodates the calling terminal T1 and the called terminal T3, respectively, using the IP addresses of the calling terminal T1 and the called terminal T3 extracted from the message as keys. To find out that the originating edge node is router R1 and the terminating edge node is router R4. Subsequently, the route information table 63 shown in FIG. 15 is referred to, a route from the router R1 to the router R4 is searched, and the route P1 passing through the links L1, L3, and L4 is known (step S3).

  Here, the resource control unit 24 refers to the link information table 62 illustrated in FIG. 14 and determines whether or not resources can be secured for the links L1, L3, and L4. Specifically, for each of the links L1, L3, and L4, the remaining resource amount that can be used is calculated by subtracting the used resource amount from the maximum resource amount, and this remaining resource amount is compared with the resource amount necessary for communication. To do. As a result, it is determined that the resource can be secured if the remaining resource amount is larger in all of the links L1, L3, and L4, and the resource cannot be secured if even one link having the smaller remaining resource amount is present. It is determined that there is (step S4). Actually, the resource amounts are compared in order from the originating link L1, and when there is a link with a smaller remaining resource amount, it is determined that the resource cannot be secured, and the processing is stopped.

  If it is determined that the resource can be secured (step S4, YES), the resource control unit 24 uses the resource amount required for communication in each of the used resource amounts of the links L1, L3, and L4 in the link information table 62. Is added. As a result, resources necessary for communication between the terminals T1 and T3 are secured (step S5).

  Furthermore, the resource control unit 24 creates a resource reservation request table for the resource reservation request. Specifically, an ID is assigned to the resource securing request and written in the “Securing Request ID” field. Further, the user ID extracted from the resource securing request message, the IP address of the calling terminal T1, the IP address of the called terminal T3, and the amount of resources required for communication are respectively expressed as “user ID”, “calling terminal address”, “calling terminal”. Write in the “address” and “requested resource amount” columns, and write the route ID (P1) retrieved from the route information table 63 in the “route ID” column. Since the resource has been successfully secured, “NG link ID” is blank (step S6).

  Thereafter, the response processing unit 25 creates a response message indicating that the resource reservation is permitted. The reservation request ID is added to the response message. The transmission / reception unit 22 transmits the response message created by the response processing unit 25 to the application server 3 (step S7).

  When the application server 3 receives the response message to permit the resource reservation, the application server 3 guarantees the communication quality for the terminal T1, and permits the use of the communication service between the terminal 1 and the terminal T3. Thereby, high quality communication is started between the terminal T1 and the terminal T3.

  On the other hand, when the resource control unit 24 determines that the resource cannot be secured in determining whether or not to secure the resource (step S4, NO), the remaining resource amount is smaller than the resource amount necessary for communication. The link ID (L3) is written in the “NG link ID” field, and a resource securing request table 64 as shown in FIG. 16 is created. It should be noted that the same information as when the resource is successfully secured is written in the other fields of the resource securing request table 64 (step S8).

  Thereafter, the response processing unit 25 creates a response message indicating that the resource reservation is rejected. The reservation request ID is added to the response message. The transmission / reception unit 22 transmits the response message created by the response processing unit 25 to the application server 3 (step S9).

  When the application server 3 receives the response message to reject resource reservation, the application server 3 transmits a response message to the terminal T1 indicating that communication quality cannot be guaranteed in the use of the communication service between the terminal 1 and the terminal T3. The reservation request ID is added to the response message. As will be described later, it is possible to browse the resource usage status and the resource allocation status on the terminal 1 using this allocation request ID.

3-2-2. Release of Resource Next, an operation of releasing the resource reserved for communication by the resource management server 2 after the communication service between the terminal T1 and the terminal T3 is completed will be described.

  When the terminal T1 notifies the application server 3 of the end of communication of the terminal T3, the application server 3 receives this notification and creates a resource release request message and transmits it to the resource management server 2. To the resource release request message, a message number indicating that this message is a resource release request and the reservation request ID included in the response message to the resource reservation request are added.

  In the resource management server 2, when the transmission / reception unit 22 receives this resource release request message (step S1, YES), the message analysis unit 23 determines that this message is a “resource release request” from the message number added to the message. Judgment is made (step S2, NO, step S10, YES). Further, the reservation request ID added to the message is extracted.

  Next, the resource control unit 24 refers to the resource reservation request table, and uses the reservation request ID extracted from the message as a key, the resource P1 to be released from the “route ID”, and the resource to be released from the “requested resource amount”. Know the amount. Subsequently, with reference to the route information table 63 shown in FIG. 15, it is known that the route P1 passes the links L1, L3, and L4. Furthermore, the amount of resources to be released is subtracted from the amount of resources used for each of the links L1, L3, and L4 in the link information table 62 shown in FIG. As a result, resources reserved for communication between the terminals T1 and T3 are released (step S11).

Finally, the resource control unit 24 deletes the resource reservation request table for the reservation request ID extracted from the message (step S12).
Note that the resource securing request table created in step S8 can be automatically deleted after a predetermined time has elapsed since creation.
As described above, a series of processing from resource allocation to release is completed.

4). Resource usage information providing server 4-1. Configuration of Resource Usage Status Information Providing Server FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the resource usage status information providing server 4.
The resource usage status information providing server 4 includes a transmission / reception unit 41, an information collection unit 42, a display resource amount calculation unit 43, a database 44, a message analysis unit 45, and a resource map creation unit 46.

  The transmission / reception unit 41 includes a communication interface, and transmits and receives various requests and responses between the terminal T (for example, the terminal T1) and the resource management server 2. For example, a resource map display request message is received from the terminal T, and resource map information is transmitted to the terminal T as a response. In addition, a transmission request message for information on the resource usage status and the allocation status is transmitted to the resource management server 2, and information sent from the resource management server 2 as a response is received.

The information collecting unit 42 collects information on the resource usage status and the securing status from the resource management server 2 via the transmission / reception unit 41. More specifically, the information on the resource usage status and the securing status is the tables 61 to 64.
For example, the information collection unit 42 periodically transmits a transmission request message for information on the resource usage status and the securing status to the resource management server 2 via the transmission / reception unit 41. In the resource management server 2 that has received this message, the information extraction unit 26 extracts the requested information from the database 21 and transmits it to the resource usage status information providing server 4 via the transmission / reception unit 22. By receiving this information, information can be collected. Alternatively, the resource management server 2 may periodically transmit information on the resource usage status and the securing status without transmitting the information transmission request message.

  The display resource amount calculation unit 43 corrects information related to the resource amount among the information collected by the information collection unit 42. Specifically, the correction is performed by multiplying the “maximum resource amount” in the link information table 62 shown in FIG. 14 by a coefficient that takes into consideration the ratio used for the resource securing service. Also, the “requested resource amount” in the resource securing request table 64 shown in FIG. 16 is corrected by multiplying by a coefficient taking into account the header and burst of the IP packet.

The database 44 stores information collected by the information collecting unit 42, that is, the tables 61 to 64. However, the information on the resource amount is replaced with the resource amount corrected by the display resource amount calculation unit 43.
The message analysis unit 45 analyzes the resource map display request message received by the transmission / reception unit 41, and outputs the result to the resource map creation unit 46.
The resource map creating unit 46 refers to the information stored in the database 44, creates the requested resource map, and outputs the information to the transmitting / receiving unit 41.

4-2. Resource Map Creation Method Next, a resource map creation method by the resource map creation unit 46 will be described in detail.

4-2-1. A case where a link ID is designated and a display request for a node adjacency is requested A case where a link ID “L1” is designated will be described.
First, referring to the link information table 62 shown in FIG. 14 stored in the database 44, using the link ID “L1” as a key, the source node address “aaaa” of the link L1 and the destination node address “bbbb” ". Subsequently, with reference to the node information table 61 shown in FIG. 13 stored in the database 44, the node IDs “R1” and “R2” of the respective nodes are set using the node addresses “aaaa” and “bbbb” as keys. Search for. Next, a command for mapping the object of the node R1, the object of the node R2, and the object of the link L1 from the node R1 to the node R2 is created. For example, the created command is as follows.
Node.obj, R1, link.obj, L1, node.obj, R2,
Here, “ ^* .obj” represents reading of an object.

When the maximum resource amount and the used resource amount are also displayed, the corrected maximum resource amount “300” and the used resource amount “100” are simultaneously read when searching for the originating node address “aaaa” and the like. The command in this case is as follows, for example.
Node.obj, R1, link.obj, L1,100,300, node.obj, R2,

In the resource map creation unit 46, template data of a resource map described in, for example, HTML is prepared in advance. The resource map is completed by writing the created command to this template data.
With this resource map, the adjacent relationship between nodes can be displayed as a simple character string or as an object. The simple character string display is as shown in FIG. At this time, “obj” in the command is skipped. For example, the object display is as shown in FIG.

4-2-2. A case where a route ID is designated and a display request for the adjacency of nodes is requested A case where a route ID “P1” is designated will be described.
First, the path information table 63 shown in FIG. 15 stored in the database 44 is referred to, and the IDs “L1”, “L3”, “L4” of the links constituting the path P1 are set using the path ID “P1” as a key. ". Subsequently, in the method described in Section 4-2-1, the IDs “R1” and “R2” of the originating and terminating nodes of the link L1, and the ID “R2” of the originating and terminating nodes of the link L3. , “R3” and the IDs “R3” and “R4” of the originating and terminating nodes of the link L4. Next, the object of the node R1, the object of the node R2, the object of the link L1 of the node R1 → the node R2, the object of the node R3, the object of the link L3 of the node R2 → the node R3, and the object of the node R4, A command for mapping the object of the link L4 from the node R3 to the node R4 is created. For example, the created command is as follows.
Node.obj, R1, link.obj, L1, node.obj, R2, link.obj, L3, node.obj, R3, link.obj, L4, node.obj, R4

When the maximum resource amount and the used resource amount are also displayed, from the link information table 62 shown in FIG. 14, the corrected maximum resource amount “300”, the used resource amount “100”, and the link L3 after correction of the link L3. The maximum resource amount “300” and the used resource amount “200”, the corrected maximum resource amount “300” and the used resource amount “200” of the link L4 are read out. The command in this case is as follows, for example.
Node.obj, R1, link.obj, L1,100,300, node.obj, R2, link.obj, L3,200,300, node.obj, R3, link.obj, L4,200,300, node.obj, R4

The resource map is completed by writing the created command to the template data of the resource map.
With this resource map, the adjacent relationship between nodes can be displayed as a simple character string or as an object. For example, the simple character string display is as shown in FIG. For example, the object display is as shown in FIG.

4-2-3. When the reservation request ID is specified and there is a request for displaying the resource use status and the resource reservation status A case where the reservation request ID “1001” is specified will be described.
First, the resource reservation request table 64 shown in FIG. 16 stored in the database 44 is referred to, and the reservation request ID “1001” is used as a key to identify the route ID “P1” for which the resource reservation is requested, and the resource reservation. The ID “L3” of the link that has failed is searched. Subsequently, using the route ID “P1”, a command for displaying the adjacent relationship between the nodes is created by the method described in Section 4-2-2. In this command, “NG” is added to the vicinity of the object of the link L3 that has failed to secure the resource, and “OK” is added to the vicinity of the object of the link L1 on the outgoing side of the link L3.

The resource map is completed by writing the created command to the template data of the resource map.
With this resource map, the resource usage status and the resource reservation status can be displayed in a simple character string or an object. The simple character string display is as shown in FIG. 9, for example. The object display is as shown in FIGS. 7C, 8, and 10, for example.
Although the case where the reservation request ID “1001” is specified has been described here, another identifier that can specify the resource reservation request may be used. Specifically, a combination of a user ID, a calling terminal address and a called terminal address can be used.

A method for displaying the route for which the securing request is made in different colors will be described.
First, in the resource map template data, objects of the same shape with different colors such as black and red are prepared in advance. For example, a black object is read for a normal node and link, and a command for reading a red object is created for a node and link on the route searched by the securing request. By writing this command to the template data of the resource map, it is possible to display objects on the route in red and other objects in black, and display a route for which a reservation request has been made in different colors.

4-3. Display method when the resource map is longer than the displayable range 55 of the screen of the terminal T As shown in FIG. 11, when the resource map is longer than the displayable range 55 of the screen of the terminal T, the displayable range 55 A part of the resource map with the length corresponding to is displayed.
In this case, first, the start of the resource map is set as the display start position, and the position separated from the displayable range 55 is set as the display end position. Information of the resource map between the display start position and the display end position is transmitted to the terminal T.
When the terminal T can be moved and displayed with a cursor or the like, a display movement amount is sent from the terminal T. Accordingly, a position obtained by adding the display movement amount to the previous display start position is set as a new display start position, and a position separated from the displayable range 55 is set as a new display end position. Information of the resource map between the new display start position and the display end position is transmitted to the terminal T.
By repeating this, a resource map having a length corresponding to the displayable range 55 can be displayed part by part.

4-4. Special display of link object As shown in FIG. 3, in order to divide and display a link object, the maximum resource amount of one link is divided into N (N is an integer of 2 or more), and the resource amount divided into N is respectively Treated as a plurality of virtual links having the maximum resource amount, and creates a link information table for each virtual link. A different service is assigned to each virtual link so that the corresponding service is displayed together with the virtual link object.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when various information is added to the link object, the information is written in the link information table so that the information is displayed together with the link object. For example, when performing a failure display, an item “failure flag” is provided as shown in FIG. 14 so that a cross is displayed when a failure occurs and the value becomes “1”. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in order to display the priority route, priorities are assigned to a plurality of routes with respect to the same ground, and the priorities are written in the link information table or the route information table. The priority order is displayed together with the object. Alternatively, only the object of the route with the highest priority is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in order to merge and display objects of a plurality of links, the same virtual link ID is assigned to the plurality of links, and a plurality of links to which the same virtual link ID is assigned are assigned to one link. Treat as a virtual link. When a plurality of links are connected in parallel as shown in FIG. 6A, the total resource amount of these links is set as the virtual link resource amount. When a plurality of links are connected in series as shown in FIG. 6C, the minimum resource amount among the resource amounts of these links is set as the resource amount of the virtual link.

5. Terminal Configuration FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the terminal T.
The terminal T includes a computer such as a general-purpose personal computer, and includes a control unit 71, an operation unit 72, a transmission / reception unit 73, and a display unit 74.

The control unit 71 controls the operation of each unit of the terminal T.
The operation unit 72 is used for operation of the terminal T by the user. For example, a remote controller can be used in addition to a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse. Using the operation unit 72, a communication service use request and a resource map display request (including a display request for adjacent relations between nodes) are input.

The transmission / reception unit 73 includes a communication interface, and transmits / receives various requests and responses to / from the application server 3 and the resource usage status information providing server 4. For example, a request for using a communication service is transmitted to the application server 3 and a response is received. In addition, a resource map display request message is transmitted to the resource usage status information providing server 4 and resource map information is received as a response.
The display unit 74 displays an input screen for various requests, a response to the request (such as a resource map), and other information. For example, a monitor of a general-purpose personal computer can be used. If the resolution is good, the display screen of the remote controller can be used instead.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a remote controller used as the operation unit 72.
The remote controller 80 includes a display screen 81, various operation keys 82 to 86, and a speaker 87.
On the display screen 81, for example, the rank of the current resource management service, the total payment amount for using the service, the payment amount per latest charging unit, and the like are displayed. If the resolution is good, the resource map can be simply displayed.

The operation key 82 includes a channel key, a reproduction key, a fast forward key, a rewind key, a volume key, a direction key, and the like. You can set payment limits for service usage, additional payment units, and automation. In addition, payment can be made. Furthermore, links can be selected using direction keys and numeric keys.
The operation keys 83 and 84 are additional payment and payment amount reduction keys. The operation key 85 is a securing request key for making a resource securing request. The operation key 86 is an information update key.

  The speaker 87 generates an alarm sound when a state change occurs during viewing of the distribution video, and notifies that effect. For example, the user can be notified of a resource reservation NG due to a link failure or the like during viewing. In addition, when the operation of the operation keys 82 to 86 is not permitted, it can be notified. Notification may be made in conjunction with the vibrator or only with the vibrator. Notification may be performed in conjunction with the LED lamp.

  The remote controller 80 can also be displayed on a GUI on the display unit 74 of the terminal T and operated using a pointing device.

6). Resource Map Screen Display FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for displaying a resource map on the screen.
Assume that the user receives a response message from the application server 3 that the resource securing request between the terminal T1 and the terminal T3 is rejected and communication quality cannot be guaranteed when using the communication service between both terminals.

  When the user presses the reservation request key 85 of the remote controller 80, for example, the control unit 71 of the terminal T1 creates a resource map display request message. The reservation request ID “1001” included in the response message from the application server 3 is added to this message. Instead of the reservation request ID “1001” or together with the reservation request ID “1001”, another identifier that can specify the resource reservation request may be added. Specifically, a combination of a user ID, a calling terminal address, and a called terminal address may be added. The transmission / reception unit 73 transmits the created message to the resource usage status information providing server 4.

  In the resource usage status information providing server 4, when the transmission / reception unit 41 receives a resource map display request message, the message analysis unit 45 determines that this message is a “resource map display request message” from the message number added to the message. It is judged that there is (step S21, YES). Further, the reservation request ID “1001” added to the message is extracted and output to the resource map creation unit 46.

When the resource map display request message is received for the first time (step S22, YES), the resource map creation unit 46 uses the reservation request ID “1001” to generate a resource map related to the route P1 between the terminal T1 and the terminal T3. Create (step S25). The method for creating this resource map is as described above. When the resource securing request table 64 with the securing request ID “1001” is not in the database 64, the information collecting unit 42 can request the resource management server 2 to transmit the resource securing request table 64.
The transmission / reception unit 41 transmits information on the created resource map to the terminal T1.

In the terminal T1, when the transmission / reception unit 73 receives the information on the resource map, the control unit 71 activates the browser and displays the resource map on the display unit 74 using a GUI (step S26). By browsing this resource map, the user can confirm the resource usage status of the route P1 between the terminal 1 and the terminal T3 and the failure to secure the resource in the link L3 on the route P1. Then, the remaining resource amount that can be used in the link L3 and the resource amount necessary for communication can be compared to determine whether or not the resource can be secured in the link L3.
As a result, when it is determined that the resource cannot be secured on the link L3, the user can again send a resource map display request message from the terminal T1 to the resource usage status information providing server 4 (NO in step S27).

  In the resource usage status information providing server 4 that has received this resource map display request message, the resource map creation section 46 creates the resource map for the route P1 again after waiting for the information about the resource usage status for the route P1 to be updated. (Step S21, YES, Step S22, NO, Step S23, YES, Step S24, Step S25), and transmits the information to the terminal T1.

In the terminal T that has received the resource map information, the control unit 71 updates the resource map displayed on the display unit 74 (step S26).
By repeating the above processing, the user can know from the resource map when the amount of resources used for the link L3 decreases (the remaining resource amount increases) and the resource can be secured (step S27, YES). ).

  At this time, by making a resource securing request to the resource management server 2 via the application server 3, resources necessary for communication between the terminal T1 and the terminal T3 can be secured. Therefore, resource reservation can be received without repeating the resource reservation request to the dark clouds. In addition, it is possible to receive resources without going ahead by a third party.

  Here, an example in which a resource display request message is transmitted from the terminal T1 by a user operation has been described. However, message transmission can be automated for the second and subsequent times. In addition, when the resource usage status information providing server 4 receives the resource display request message once, it is automatically updated every time information on the resource usage status of the route P1 is updated even if the message is not received. A new resource map can be created and transmitted to the terminal T1. Thereby, it becomes possible to display the change of the resource usage status in real time without bothering the user.

7). Modified Example As shown in FIG. 11, in order to display the usage status and the secured status of resources including the access line, an access line information table 165 as shown in FIG. 24 and a resource secured status as shown in FIG. It is necessary to use the request table 164. The access line information table 165 is a table showing information on access lines in the communication network 1. The resource reservation request table 164 is obtained by adding items of “source access line ID” and “destination access line ID” to the resource reservation request table 64 shown in FIG.

  In addition, the user can select a route on the resource map displayed on the display unit 74 of the terminal T1, and the terminal T1 can be provided with a function of creating a resource securing request message for the selected route. For example, the control unit 71 acquires the IP address of the destination terminal T3 on the route P1 selected by the user, writes it in the format of the resource reservation request message prepared in advance, and the IP address of the source terminal (terminal T1) The message is completed by writing the address and further writing the amount of resources required for communication. By transmitting this message to the resource management server 2 via the application server 3, it is possible to request resource reservation for the path P1 between the terminal T1 and the terminal T3.

  A similar function can be provided in the resource usage status information providing server 4. For example, in the terminal T1, the control unit 71 acquires the IP address of the destination terminal T3 on the route P1 selected by the user, and the acquired IP address of the destination terminal T3 and the own (terminal T1) IP address are necessary for communication. To the resource usage status information providing server 4. In the resource usage status information providing server 4, the information is written in the resource reservation request message format prepared in advance to complete the message. By transmitting this message directly to the resource management server 2, it is possible to request resource reservation for the path P1 between the terminal T1 and the terminal T3.

  The example in which the resource usage status information providing server 4 independent of the resource management server 2 is provided has been described above. As shown in FIG. 26, the resource usage status information providing server 104 is connected between the application server 3 and the resource management server 2, and the request from the application server 3 and the response from the resource management server 2 are passed through. You may make it memorize | store.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 27, various functions of the resource usage status information providing server 4 may be provided to the resource management server 102. In this case, the functions of the transmission / reception unit 41, the database 44, and the message analysis unit 45 of the server 4 are added to the transmission / reception unit 22, the database 21, and the message analysis unit 23 of the server 2, respectively. It is necessary to newly provide the function of the resource map creation unit 46 in the server 2.

  Further, the functions of the resource usage status information providing servers 4 and 104 are computer hardware such as an arithmetic unit (MPU) and a storage device (including an internal memory such as a ROM and a RAM and an external storage device such as an HDD). This is realized by cooperation between resources and a computer program (software) installed in the computer. The same applies to the resource management servers 2 and 102 and the terminal T.

  The present invention can be used for a high-quality communication service using a wide area communication network.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a resource management system. It is a figure which shows the basic composition of the 1st example of a display of a resource map. It is a figure which shows the division | segmentation display example of the object of a link. It is a figure which shows the example of a display which adds various information to the object of a link. It is a figure which shows the example of a priority route display of the object of a link. It is a figure which shows the example of a merge display of the object of a link. It is a figure which shows the variation of the 1st example of a display of a resource map. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of a display of a resource map. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of a display of a resource map. It is a figure which shows the 4th example of a display of a resource map. It is a figure which shows the example of a display when a resource map is longer than the displayable range of a screen. It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of a resource management server. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of a node information table. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of a link information table. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of a path | route information table. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of a resource securing request table. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process from the securing of a resource by a resource management server to release. It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of a resource usage condition information provision server. It is a figure which shows the resource map produced when link ID is designated and the display request of the adjacent relationship of a node is made. It is a figure which shows the resource map produced when the path | route ID is designated and there exists a display request of the adjacent relationship of a node. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of a terminal. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a remote controller. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which displays a resource map on a screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of an access line information table. It is a figure which shows the other example of the data structure of a resource securing request table. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the resource management system which connected the resource usage condition information provision server between the application server and the resource management server. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the resource management system which gave various functions of the resource usage condition information provision server to the resource management server.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication network, 2,102 ... Resource management server, 21 ... Database, 22 ... Transmission / reception part, 23 ... Message analysis part, 24 ... Resource control part, 25 ... Response processing part, 26 ... Information extraction part, 3 ... Application server 4, 104 ... Resource usage information providing server, 41 ... Transmission / reception unit, 42 ... Information collection unit, 43 ... Resource amount calculation unit, 44 ... Database, 45 ... Message analysis unit, 46 ... Resource map creation unit, 51 ... Maximum Resource amount 52 ... Request resource amount 53 ... Used resource amount 54 ... Remaining resource amount 55 ... Displayable range 56a, 56b ... Display end point object 61 ... Node information table 62 ... Link information table 63 ... Route Information table, 64, 164 ... Resource reservation request table, 65 ... Access line information table DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 71 ... Control part, 72 ... Operation part, 73 ... Transmission / reception part, 74 ... Display part, 80 ... Remote controller, 81 ... Display screen, 82-86 ... Operation key, 87 ... Speaker, AL1-AL4 ... Access line, L1- L7 ... link, R1 to R6 ... router, T1 to T4 ... terminal, AL1o, L1o, L3o, L4o, R1o to R4o, T1o, T3o ... objects.

Claims (14)

In a resource management system having resource information of a communication network including a plurality of nodes and links between the nodes, and securing resources necessary for communication performed by the terminal based on the resource information in response to a request from the terminal ,
Information extraction means for extracting information representing the resource usage status of the communication network from the resource information;
A resource usage status information providing apparatus comprising: information transmission means for transmitting the information indicating the extracted resource usage status to the terminal. In the resource usage status information providing device according to claim 1,
Further comprising information creating means for creating information on whether or not resources can be secured for each link based on a request from the terminal;
The information transmission means further transmits the created resource reservation availability information to the terminal. In the resource usage status information providing device according to claim 1 or 2,
A resource map creating means for creating a resource map in which symbols representing the nodes and the links are arranged so as to represent a connection relationship between the nodes and the links and information representing the usage status of the links is added;
The information transmission unit transmits the created resource map as information indicating the resource usage status, and provides a resource usage status information providing device. In the resource usage status information providing device according to claim 3,
The resource usage information providing apparatus characterized in that the resource map creating means makes it possible to distinguish a symbol on a path used for communication of the terminal from other symbols. In the resource usage status information providing device according to claim 4,
The resource map creating unit is characterized in that the symbols on the route and the other symbols have different colors. In the resource usage status information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Identifier obtaining means for obtaining at least one of an identifier of a source terminal and an identifier of a destination terminal of a route designated by the terminal based on the resource usage state;
Message creating means for creating a resource securing request message by adding the obtained identifier;
A resource use status information providing device, further comprising: a resource reservation requesting unit that requests resource reservation using the created resource reservation request message. In a terminal that makes a request for securing resources necessary for communication to a resource management device that manages resources of a communication network,
Receiving means for receiving information indicating the resource usage status of the communication network transmitted from the resource usage status information providing device;
Display means for displaying the resource usage status based on the received information;
Identifier acquisition means for acquiring at least one of an identifier of a calling terminal and an identifier of a destination terminal of a route specified based on the resource usage state;
Message creating means for creating a resource securing request message by adding the obtained identifier;
A terminal comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the generated resource reservation request message to the resource management device to request the resource reservation. Whether or not it is possible to secure a resource necessary for communication performed by the terminal based on resource information of the communication network in response to a request from a terminal connectable to a communication network including a plurality of nodes and a link between the nodes. Determining for each link;
Extracting information representing resource usage status of the communication network from the resource information;
Transmitting the extracted information indicating the resource usage status to the terminal. A method of providing resource usage status information, comprising: The resource usage status information providing method according to claim 8,
Creating resource reservation availability information for each link;
Transmitting the created resource reservation availability information to the terminal. A method of providing resource usage status information, comprising: The resource usage status information providing method according to claim 8 or 9,
Arranging a symbol representing the node and the link so as to represent a connection relationship between the node and the link, and creating a resource map to which information representing a use status of the link is added;
Transmitting the created resource map to the terminal; and a method for providing resource usage status information. The resource usage status information providing method according to claim 10,
The resource map generation method according to claim 1, wherein the step of creating the resource map makes it possible to distinguish a symbol on a path used for communication of the terminal from other symbols. The resource usage status information providing method according to claim 11,
The resource map generation method according to claim 1, wherein the step of creating the resource map sets the symbols on the route and the other symbols to different colors. In the resource usage status information providing method according to any one of claims 8 to 12,
The resource usage status information providing method further comprising the step of displaying the resource usage status based on the information received at the terminal. The resource usage status information providing method according to claim 13,
Obtaining at least one of an identifier of a calling terminal and an identifier of a called terminal of a route specified based on the resource usage state;
Adding the acquired identifier to create a resource securing request message;
Making a request for resource reservation using the generated resource reservation request message. The method for providing resource usage status information, further comprising:

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