JP2012090010A - Communication apparatus and backup method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow processing being performed in one control system to be taken over by the other control system when an abnormality occurs in the one control system concerning a communication apparatus having the multiple control systems.SOLUTION: A first control system 10A includes: a router function part 101 as a main function; and a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) function part 102 as a backup function. A second control system 10B includes: a VoIP function part 102 as a main function; and a router function part 101 as a backup function. The respective control systems 10 validate the main functions and invalidate the backup functions in normality. The respective control systems 10 record the performance histories of the self control systems 10 and also monitor the states of the other control systems 10. One control system 10 validates the backup function when an abnormality is detected in the other control system 10, identifies processing being performed in the other control system 10 with referring to the performance history, and takes over the identified processing.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for backing up a certain control system with another control system in a communication apparatus that shares a plurality of functions with a plurality of control systems.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a communication system control CPU backs up a media system control CPU in a communication terminal equipped with a communication system control CPU and a media system control CPU. In this technology, the communication system control CPU monitors the state of the media system control CPU, and when an abnormality occurs in the media system control CPU, the connection to the user interface is switched from the media system control CPU to the communication system control CPU. Media system control processing is executed instead of the media system control CPU.

JP 2007-214684 A

  According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, the communication system control CPU can be made to perform backup of the media system control CPU. However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 does not relate to causing the communication system control CPU to take over the currently executed media system control CPU when an abnormality occurs in the media system control CPU. Not considered. Further, according to the technique described in Patent Document 1, when an abnormality occurs in the media system control CPU, the communication system control CPU performs both the communication system control process and the media system control process. A high processing capability is required for the CPU.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to execute this control system when an abnormality occurs in a certain control system in a communication apparatus having a plurality of control systems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a backup technology capable of taking over processing to another control system.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has a plurality of control systems each having a backup function and sharing a plurality of functions. Each control system records the execution history of processing of each function of the own control system and monitors the status of other control systems. Then, when an abnormality is detected in another control system, the backup function is enabled and the processing that the other control system was executing is identified by referring to the execution history of the other control system. Take over the process. Here, each control system may execute only a predetermined function among functions handled by other control systems. In addition, each control system may disable some predetermined functions of its own control system when the backup function is enabled.

For example, a communication device having a plurality of functions,
A plurality of control systems each having a backup function and sharing the plurality of functions;
Storage means shared by the plurality of control systems,
Each of the control systems
History registration means for storing the execution history of the processing of the plurality of functions in the self-control system in the storage means;
Monitoring means for monitoring the state of the other control system;
When the monitoring unit detects an abnormality in the other control system, the backup function is enabled and another control is performed with reference to the execution history of the other control system stored in the storage unit. Backup control means for specifying a process being executed by the system and taking over the specified process.

  Here, the backup control means activates the backup function when an abnormality of the other control system is detected by the monitoring means, and is determined in advance among functions assigned to the other control system. It may be a backup function. Further, the backup control means may invalidate some predetermined functions among the functions handled by the own control system when the backup function is validated.

  According to the present invention, since a process being executed by a certain control system can be specified by another control system, when an abnormality occurs in a certain control system, the process being executed by this control system is changed to another. The control system can be handed over. In addition, by limiting the backup range by the backup function of a certain control system to a part of the function for which the other control system is responsible, or disabling part of the function for the control system in which the backup function is enabled As a result, the hardware processing capability required for the control system can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of a VoIP router 1 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2A is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of registered contents in the reference storage unit 14, and FIG. 2B is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of registered contents in the history storage unit 15. FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining the operation flow of the control system 10, and FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining the restoration process (S10) shown in FIG. 3A. 4A is a diagram for explaining the backup start process (S14) shown in FIG. 3A, and FIG. 4B shows the backup stop process (S16) shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of a VoIP router 1 to which the present embodiment is applied.

  As shown in the figure, the VoIP router 1 of the present embodiment includes a first control system 10A, a second control system 10B, a LAN interface unit 11, a WAN interface unit 12, a packet transmission / reception unit 13, and a reference storage unit. 14 and a history storage unit 15. Hereinafter, the first control system 10A and the second control system 10B are collectively referred to as the control system 10.

  The control system 10 includes a router function unit 101, a VoIP function unit 102, a state monitoring unit 103, and a backup control unit 104.

  The router function unit 101 is a processing unit that performs processing necessary to function as a router. Specifically, the router function unit 101 includes a PPPoE (Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet (registered trademark)) client function, an SNTP (Simple Network Time Protocol), in addition to a routing process for realizing a router function as a basic function. Client function, DNS (Domain Name System) client function, DNS server function, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server function, HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) server function, FTP (File Transfer Transport function), etc. Process.

  The VoIP function unit 102 is a processing unit that performs processing necessary for VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Specifically, the VoIP function unit 102 performs SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) processing and RTP (Realtime Transport Protocol) processing.

  The state monitoring unit 103 communicates with the state monitoring unit 103 of the other control system 10 to monitor the state of the other control system 10. Specifically, the state monitoring unit 103 periodically transmits a survival confirmation signal to the state monitoring unit 103 of the other control system 10, and determines whether the other control is performed depending on whether a response to the signal is received within a predetermined time. The state of the system 10 is monitored. If a survival confirmation signal is received from the other control system 10, a response is returned.

  The backup control unit 104 controls validity / invalidity of the router function unit 101 and the VoIP function unit 102, and performs backup when an abnormality occurs in the other control system 10. Specifically, when the other control system 10 is normal, the backup control unit 104 validates one of the router function unit 101 and the VoIP function unit 102 (referred to as main function) and the other (backup function). Disabled). When an abnormality occurs in the other control system 10, the backup function is validated, and the process being executed in the other control system 10 is taken over by the backup function. Here, the first control system 10A sets the router function unit 101 as the main function and the VoIP function unit 102 as the backup function. On the other hand, the second control system 10B sets the VoIP function unit 102 as a main function and the router function as a backup function.

  The LAN interface unit 11 is an interface for connecting to a LAN.

  The WAN interface unit 12 is an interface for connecting to the WAN.

  The packet transmission / reception unit 13 determines the type of a packet received from the LAN via the LAN interface unit 11 or from the WAN via the WAN interface unit 12, and the packet is enabled according to the type. The data is transmitted to the router function unit 101 or the VoIP function unit 102. Further, the packet transmitting / receiving unit 13 determines the destination of the packet received from the enabled router function unit 101 or VoIP function unit 102, and the packet is sent to the LAN interface unit 11 or the WAN interface unit 12 according to the destination. Send from.

  The reference storage unit 14 stores information on handling criteria for the additional function of the router function unit 101 when the backup control unit 104 validates the backup function due to the occurrence of an abnormality in the other control system 10. FIG. 2A is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of registered contents in the reference storage unit 14. As shown in the figure, in the reference storage unit 14, a record 140 is registered for each additional function of the router function unit 101. The record 140 has a field 1401 in which identification information (for example, name) of the additional function is registered, and a field 1402 in which a setting flag indicating whether or not to enable this additional function when the backup function is valid is registered. . Here, the additional function whose setting flag is ON is valid, and the additional function whose setting flag is OFF is invalid.

  The history storage unit 15 stores processing histories of the router function unit 101 and the VoIP function unit 102. FIG. 2B is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of registered contents in the history storage unit 15. As shown in the figure, the history storage unit 15 is provided with a table 150 for each of the router function unit 101 and the VoIP function unit 102. A record 151 is added to the table 150 each time processing is executed by the corresponding router function unit 101 or VoIP function unit 102. The record 151 includes a field 1510 for registering a process execution ID (for example, a sequence number), a field 1511 for registering the type of function in charge of the process, a field 1512 for registering process details, and target data (packet) for the process. It has a field 1513 for storing itself, a field 1514 for registering the execution state of the process, and a field 1515 for registering the process execution source (whether it is the first control system 10A or the second control system 10B). Each time the processing is started, the router function unit 101 and the VoIP function unit 102 add a record 151 to the corresponding table 150 and register information in the fields 1510 to 1515 of the record 151. The field 1514 is updated every time the execution state of the process changes.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining an operation flow of the control system 10. This flow is started when the control system 10 is restarted due to an abnormality or the like.

  First, the backup control unit 104 performs a recovery process described later (S10), enables the main function, and if there is a process being executed in the backup function of the other control system 10, this process is taken over by the main function. Make it.

  Next, the state monitoring unit 103 transmits a survival confirmation signal to the state monitoring unit 103 of the other control system 10 (S11), and waits for a response from the other control system 10. When the state monitoring unit 103 does not receive a response within a predetermined time (NO in S12), the state monitoring unit 103 determines that the other control system 10 has stopped abnormally, and notifies the backup control unit 104 accordingly. In response, if the backup function is disabled (YES in S13), the backup control unit 104 executes a backup activation process described later (S14), enables the backup function, and then proceeds to S11. Return. On the other hand, if the backup function is enabled (NO in S13), the process immediately returns to S11.

  On the other hand, when the state monitoring unit 103 receives a response within a predetermined time (YES in S12), the state monitoring unit 103 determines that the other control system 10 is operating normally and notifies the backup control unit 104 to that effect. In response to this, if the backup function is enabled (YES in S15), the backup control unit 104 executes a backup stop process described later (S16), invalidates the backup function, and then proceeds to S11. Return. On the other hand, if the backup function is disabled (NO in S15), the process immediately returns to S11.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining the recovery process (S10).

  First, the backup control unit 104 enables the main function of the own control system 10 (the router function unit 101 in the case of the first control system 10A and the VoIP function unit 102 in the case of the second control system 10B) (S101). Note that the backup function (the VoIP function unit 102 in the case of the first control system 10A and the router function unit 101 in the case of the second control system 10B) remains invalid.

  Next, the backup control unit 104 notifies the packet transmitting / receiving unit 13 that the main function of the own control system 10 has been validated (S102). Thereby, the packet transmitting / receiving unit 13 sets the transmission destination of the packet related to the main function received from the LAN interface unit 11 or the WAN interface unit 12 in the self-control system 10.

  Next, the backup control unit 104 refers to the table 150 corresponding to the main function of the own control system 10 stored in the history storage unit 15 (S103), and the execution state registered in the field 1514 is processed. A record 151 indicating that it is being executed is searched.

  If the record 151 cannot be searched (NO in S104), this flow ends.

  On the other hand, when the record 151 can be retrieved (YES in S104), the backup control unit 104 instructs the main function to take over the process with the designation of the execution ID registered in the field 1510 of the retrieved record 151. In response to this, the main function updates the execution source registered in the field 1515 of the record 151 including the designated execution ID to the own control system 10. In addition, the main function acquires target data from the field 1513 of the record 151, and uses this target data to specify a process specified by the function type and processing content registered in the fields 1511 and 1512 of the searched record 151. Is inherited from the execution state registered in the field 1514 of the record 151 (S105). Thereafter, this flow is terminated.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining the backup activation process (S14).

  First, the backup control unit 104 checks the setting flag of each additional function of the router function unit 101 with reference to the reference storage unit 14 (S141).

  Next, when the router function unit 101 is the main function (NO in S142), that is, when the own control system 10 is the first control system 10A, the backup control unit 104 turns off the setting flag in the reference storage unit 14. The additional function of the set router function unit 101 is invalidated (S143). Then, the backup function (here, the VoIP function unit 102) is enabled (S144), and the process proceeds to S146.

  On the other hand, when the router function unit 101 is the backup function (YES in S142), that is, when the own control system 10 is the second control system 10B, the backup control unit 104 sets the setting flag to OFF in the reference storage unit 14. Each function of the router function unit 101 excluding added additional functions is enabled (S145). Then, the process proceeds to S146.

  In S146, the backup control unit 104 notifies the packet transmitting / receiving unit 13 that the backup function of the own control system 10 has been validated (S146). Thereby, the packet transmitting / receiving unit 13 sets the transmission destination of the packet related to the backup function received from the LAN interface unit 11 or the WAN interface unit 12 in the self-control system 10.

  Next, the backup control unit 104 refers to the table 150 corresponding to the backup function of the own control system 10 stored in the history storage unit 15 (S147), and the execution state registered in the field 1514 is processed. A record 151 indicating that it is being executed is searched.

  If the record 151 cannot be searched (NO in S148), this flow ends.

  On the other hand, when the record 151 can be retrieved (YES in S148), the backup control unit 104 instructs the backup function to take over the process with the execution ID designation registered in the field 1510 of the retrieved record 151. In response to this, the backup function updates the execution source registered in the field 1515 of the record 151 including the designated execution ID to the own control system 10. Further, the backup function acquires target data from the field 1513 of this record 151. Then, by using the target data, the processing specified by the function type and processing content registered in the fields 1511 and 1512 of the retrieved record 151 is inherited from the execution state registered in the field 1514 of this record 151. (S149). Thereafter, this flow is terminated.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram for explaining the backup stop process (S16).

  First, the backup control unit 104 disables the backup function (S161).

  Next, when the router function unit 101 is a backup function (NO in S162), that is, when the own control system 10 is the second control system 10B, this flow ends.

  On the other hand, when the router function unit 101 is the main function (YES in S162), that is, when the own control system 10 is the first control system 10A, the backup control unit 104 refers to the reference storage unit 14 and performs the router function. The setting flag of each additional function of the unit 101 is checked (S163). Then, the backup control unit 104 enables the additional function of the router function unit 101 whose setting flag is set to OFF in the reference storage unit 14 (S164). Thereafter, this flow is terminated.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

  The VoIP router 1 according to the present embodiment has two control systems 10 each having the other backup function and sharing the router function and the VoIP function. Each control system 10 records the execution history of the processing of the router function and the VoIP function in the self-control system 10 so that it can be referred to from the other control system 10, and monitors the state of the other control system 10. When an abnormality in the other control system 10 is detected, the backup function is validated, and the process that the other control system 10 was executing is taken over with reference to the execution history. For this reason, according to the present embodiment, since the process being executed by one control system 10 can be specified by the other control system 10, this control is performed when an abnormality occurs in one control system 10. The process that was being executed by the system 10 can be taken over by the other control system 10.

  In the VoIP router 1 of the present embodiment, the first control system 10A disables some additional functions of the main function (router function unit 101) when the backup function (VoIP function unit 102) is enabled. I have to. For this reason, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the hardware processing capability required for the first control system 10A.

  Further, in the VoIP router 1 of the present embodiment, when the second control system 10B enables the backup function (router function unit 101), some additional functions of the backup function (router function unit 101) are disabled. It remains. For this reason, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the hardware processing capability required for the second control system 10B.

  Further, in the VoIP router 1 of the present embodiment, each control system 10 disables the backup function when detecting the normal return of the other control system 10. In addition, when the own control system 10 returns to normal due to restart or the like, the execution history is referred to and the other control system 10 takes over the processing of the main function of the own control system 10 being executed by the backup function. For this reason, according to the present embodiment, the process being executed by one control system 10 can be specified by the other control system 10, so that when one control system 10 returns to normal, the other control system 10 The processing of the main function of one control system 10 that is being executed can be taken over by one control system 10.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, Many deformation | transformation are possible within the range of the summary.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the functional configuration of the VoIP router 1 shown in FIG. 1 may be realized by an integrated logic IC such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Alternatively, it may be realized by software by a computer such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Alternatively, in a general-purpose computer such as a PC (Personal Computer) including a CPU, a main memory such as a volatile memory, an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD, and a communication interface such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) and a modem, It may be realized by the CPU loading a predetermined program from the auxiliary storage device onto the main memory and executing it. Here, the first control system 10A and the second control system 10B may be constructed on different hardware.

  In the above embodiment, the VoIP router 1 that shares the router function and the VoIP function with the first and second control systems 10A and 10B has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is applicable to various communication apparatuses that share a plurality of functions by two control systems.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the first control system 10A and the second control system 10B are provided is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of control systems may be provided.

  In the above embodiment, information related to the handling standard of the additional function of the router function unit 101 is stored in the standard storage unit 14, and when the backup function is valid, the setting flag 1402 is on and the additional function is valid, and the additional function is off. Although the function is described as invalid, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of turning on and off, the priority order may be set in advance according to the importance of processing, or the usage frequency of the additional function often used is calculated from the history storage unit 15, and the priority order is set according to the usage frequency. It may be set. Then, when the router function unit 101 as a backup function is enabled, the second control system 10B enables the additional functions of the router in order from the highest priority within the allowable range of the hardware processing capability. 10A may invalidate the additional functions of the router in order from the lowest priority so as to be within the allowable range of the hardware processing capability when the VoIP function unit 102 as the backup function is valid.

  1: VoIP router, 10A: first control system, 10B: second control system, 11: LAN interface unit, 12: WAN interface unit, 13: packet transmission / reception unit, 14: reference storage unit, 15: history storage unit, 101 : Router function unit, 102: VoIP function unit, 103: status monitoring unit, 104: backup control unit

Claims (5)

A communication device having a plurality of functions,
A plurality of control systems each having a backup function and sharing the plurality of functions;
Storage means shared by the plurality of control systems,
Each of the control systems
History registration means for storing the execution history of the processing of the plurality of functions in the self-control system in the storage means;
Monitoring means for monitoring the state of the other control system;
When the monitoring unit detects an abnormality in the other control system, the backup function is enabled and another control is performed with reference to the execution history of the other control system stored in the storage unit. And a backup control unit that identifies a process that is being executed by the system and takes over the identified process. The communication device according to claim 1,
The backup control means includes
When an abnormality of the other control system is detected by the monitoring means, the backup function is validated, and a predetermined function among the functions in charge of the other control system is executed. Communication device. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2,
The backup control means includes
A communication apparatus characterized in that, when the backup function is enabled, a part of predetermined functions among the functions handled by the own control system are disabled. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The backup control means includes
When the normal recovery of the other control system is detected by the monitoring means, the backup function is disabled,
Each of the control systems
Upon normal recovery, refer to the execution history of the other control system stored in the storage means to identify the process of the own control system that was being executed by the backup function by the other control system. A communication device characterized by taking over the processing performed. A communication device backup method having a plurality of functions,
Each of the plurality of control systems each having a backup function and sharing the plurality of functions records the execution history of the processing of the plurality of functions in the own control system and monitors the status of the other control systems. When the other control system abnormality is detected, the backup function is enabled and the other control system is identified by referring to the execution history of the other control system, A backup method for a communication device, which takes over the specified processing.

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