JP2020198554A - Communication device, communication method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress costs of a communication device, and avoid session disconnection due to program update.SOLUTION: A communication device can communicate with an opposite device according to communication protocols, and comprises: a time calculation unit which calculates a communication establishment processing time for establishing communication between the communication device and the opposite device according to the communication protocols; a determination unit which determines whether communication is established between the communication device and the opposite device according to the communication protocols in response to update of a control program of the communication device before end of a timeout time on the basis of the communication establishment processing time calculated by the time calculation unit and the timeout time defined according to the communication protocols; and a program updating unit which performs uninterrupted update processing for updating the control program without rebooting the communication device when the determination unit determines that communication according to the communication protocols has been established before end of the timeout time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present disclosure relates to communication devices, communication methods, and computer programs.

Many communication protocols specify a timeout for disconnecting a session when data is not received from the opposite device for a certain period of time. When updating the firmware of a communication device, the operation of the communication device is stopped for a certain period of time, during which a timeout occurs and the session is disconnected.

Patent Document 1 describes a communication establishment processing unit that transmits and receives communication establishment information for establishing communication with an external device to and from the external device, and an external device each time a predetermined transmission cycle elapses. A data transfer device including a communication maintenance processing unit that transmits communication maintenance information for maintaining a state in which communication between the two is established is disclosed. In the data transfer device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the communication maintenance processing unit is independent of the communication establishment processing unit so that the state in which communication is established is maintained even if the operation of the communication establishment processing unit is stopped. It is composed of a dedicated circuit to operate.

JP-A-2010-141779

However, the data transfer device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the cost increases because the communication maintenance processing unit needs to be configured by a dedicated circuit.

The communication device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a communication device capable of communicating with the opposite device by the communication protocol, and is for establishing communication by the communication protocol between the communication device and the opposite device. Based on the time calculation unit that calculates the communication establishment processing time, the communication establishment processing time calculated by the time calculation unit, and the timeout time determined by the communication protocol, before the timeout time ends, A determination unit that determines whether or not communication according to the communication protocol is established between the communication device and the opposite device in response to an update of the control program of the communication device, and the timeout time by the determination unit. When it is determined that communication by the communication protocol is established before the end, a program update unit that executes a non-interruptive update process for updating the control program without restarting the communication device. Be prepared.

The communication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a communication method in which a communication device communicates with an opposite device by a communication protocol, and establishes communication by the communication protocol between the communication device and the opposite device. Control of the communication device before the end of the timeout time, based on the step of calculating the communication establishment processing time for performing the communication establishment processing time, the calculated communication establishment processing time, and the timeout time determined by the communication protocol. The step of determining whether or not the communication by the communication protocol is established between the communication device and the opposite device according to the update of the program, and the communication by the communication protocol before the timeout time ends. A step of executing a non-instantaneous update process for updating the control program without restarting the communication device when it is determined to be established is included.

The computer program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a computer program for causing a computer to function as a communication device that communicates with an opposite device by a communication protocol, and causes the computer to have the communication device and the opposite device. The timeout time is based on a step of calculating a communication establishment processing time for establishing communication by the communication protocol between the two, the calculated communication establishment processing time, and a timeout time determined by the communication protocol. A step of determining whether or not communication by the communication protocol is established between the communication device and the opposite device in response to an update of the control program of the communication device, and a timeout time before the end of When it is determined that the communication by the communication protocol is established before the end of the process, the step of executing the non-instantaneous update process for updating the control program without restarting the computer is executed. ..

The present disclosure can be realized not only as a communication device having a characteristic configuration as described above, but also as a communication method in which characteristic processing in the communication device is a step, or a computer is made to execute such a step. It can be realized as a computer program for. Further, a part or all of the communication device can be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit, or can be realized as a communication system including the communication device.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to avoid disconnection of a session due to a program update while suppressing the cost of a communication device.

It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the communication system which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the internal structure of the master station apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware composition of the control part of the master station apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the regulation of the time-out time of a control protocol and a management protocol. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the function of the control part of the master station apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the 1st determination process and the 2nd determination process by the determination part of the master station apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating another example of the 1st determination process by the determination part of the master station apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating still another example of the 1st determination process and the 2nd determination process by the determination part of the master station apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the 3rd determination process and the 4th determination process by the determination part of the master station apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating another example of the 3rd determination process by the determination part of the master station apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating still another example of the 3rd determination process and the 4th determination process by the determination part of the master station apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the communication establishment determination processing by the master station apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the management protocol priority determination processing by the master station apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the control protocol priority determination process by the master station apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the management communication establishment processing time calculation processing by the master station apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the control communication establishment processing time calculation processing by the master station apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the management communication establishment processing by the master station apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the control communication establishment processing by the master station apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the function of the control part of the master station apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the determination process by the determination part of the master station apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the determination process by the determination part of the master station apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the communication establishment determination processing by the master station apparatus which concerns on a modification.

<Outline of Embodiments of the present disclosure>
Hereinafter, the outlines of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

(1) The communication device according to the present embodiment is a communication device capable of communicating with the opposite device by the communication protocol, and establishes communication by the communication protocol between the communication device and the opposite device. Before the end of the timeout time, based on the time calculation unit that calculates the communication establishment processing time for the purpose, the communication establishment processing time calculated by the time calculation unit, and the timeout time determined by the communication protocol. A determination unit that determines whether or not communication according to the communication protocol is established between the communication device and the opposite device in response to an update of the control program of the communication device, and a timeout time by the determination unit. When it is determined that communication by the communication protocol is established before the end of, a program update unit that executes a non-instantaneous update process for updating the control program without restarting the communication device. To be equipped with. As a result, the control program is updated before the timeout time ends, and communication with the opposite device by the communication protocol is established. Moreover, no dedicated circuitry is needed to maintain the session. Therefore, it is possible to avoid disconnection of the session due to the update of the control program while suppressing the cost of the communication device.

(2) In the communication device according to the present embodiment, the time calculation unit calculates the management communication establishment processing time for establishing communication by the management protocol, which is the communication protocol used for maintenance and management of the communication device. The time calculation unit calculates the control communication establishment processing time for establishing the communication by the control protocol, which is the communication protocol for controlling the communication by the communication device, and the determination unit calculates the control communication establishment processing time by the time calculation unit. Based on the calculated management communication establishment processing time, the control communication establishment processing time, and the timeout time, before the timeout time ends, the communication by the management protocol and the said in response to the update of the control program. It may be determined whether or not each of the communication by the control protocol is established. This makes it possible to avoid disconnection of the session by the management protocol and the control protocol.

(3) In the communication device according to the present embodiment, the timeout time may be either one of the first timeout time defined by the management protocol and the second timeout time defined by the control protocol. Good. As a result, at least communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established before either the first tom-out time corresponding to the management protocol or the second timeout time corresponding to the control protocol ends. It is possible to avoid disconnection of the session by either the management protocol or the control protocol.

(4) In the communication device according to the present embodiment, when a plurality of the management protocols are used by the communication device, the first timeout time is the minimum of the timeout times defined by each of the plurality of management protocols. It is a timeout time, and when a plurality of the control protocols are used by the communication device, the second timeout time may be the minimum timeout time among the timeout times defined by each of the plurality of control protocols. .. As a result, communication and control by the plurality of management protocols are performed before either the minimum timeout time defined by each of the plurality of management protocols or the minimum timeout time defined by each of the plurality of control programs ends. Since each of the communication by the protocol is established, it is possible to avoid disconnection of the session by each of the plurality of management protocols or the session by each of the plurality of control protocols.

(5) The communication device according to the present embodiment further includes a selection unit for selecting either the management protocol or the control protocol, and the determination unit is the communication protocol selected by the selection unit. Before the end of the selection timeout time, based on the communication establishment processing time corresponding to a certain selection protocol and the selection timeout time corresponding to the selection protocol among the first and second timeout times. Of the first determination process for determining whether or not communication by the selection protocol is established, the sum of the management communication establishment processing time and the control communication establishment process, and the first and second timeout times. Whether or not communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established in response to the update of the control program before the non-selection timeout time ends, based on the other non-selection timeout time. The second determination process for determining whether or not the protocol may be executed. As a result, the first determination process can prevent the session from being disconnected by the selection protocol, and the second determination process can prevent the session from being disconnected by at least one of the management protocol and the control protocol.

(6) In the communication device according to the present embodiment, when the determination unit determines in the first determination process that communication by the selection protocol is established before the selection timeout time ends, The second determination process is executed, and the program update unit establishes communication according to the management protocol and communication according to the control protocol before the non-selection timeout time ends in the second determination process. When it is determined that, the non-instantaneous update process is executed, and the program update unit determines in the first determination process that communication by the selection protocol is not established before the selection timeout time ends. If this is the case, it is not necessary to execute the non-instantaneous update process. As a result, when it is determined that the communication by the selection protocol is established before the selection timeout time ends, and the communication by the management protocol and the control protocol is established before the non-selection timeout time ends. In addition, the non-instantaneous update process is executed. That is, when it is determined that each session according to the management protocol and the control protocol is not disconnected, the non-instantaneous update process can be executed. Further, if communication by the selection protocol is not established before the selection timeout time ends, the non-interrupted update process is not executed. That is, when it is determined that the session by the selected protocol is disconnected, the session cannot be disconnected by the selected protocol without executing the non-interrupted update process.

(7) The communication device according to the present embodiment further includes a communication establishment unit that executes a communication establishment process for establishing communication by the communication protocol between the communication device and the opposite device, and establishes the communication. In the second determination process, when it is determined that the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol are established before the non-selection timeout time ends, the unit uses the selection protocol. 1 Communication establishment process is executed, and after the first communication establishment process is completed, a second communication establishment process is executed by a non-selection protocol which is a communication protocol that is not selected by the selection unit among the management protocol and the control protocol. You may. As a result, when it is determined that the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol are established before the non-selection timeout time ends in the second determination process, the first communication management process related to the selection protocol, And the second communication management process related to the non-selection protocol is executed in order. Therefore, it is possible to avoid disconnection of each session by the selected protocol and the non-selected protocol.

(8) In the communication device according to the present embodiment, in the second determination process, at least one of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol is performed before the non-selection timeout time ends. When it is determined that the non-selection protocol is not established, the control program is updated before the non-selection timeout time ends, based on the communication establishment processing time corresponding to the non-selection protocol and the non-selection timeout time. Correspondingly, a third determination process for determining whether or not communication by the non-selection protocol is established is executed, and the determination unit performs the third determination process before the non-selection timeout time ends in the third determination process. When it is determined that communication by the non-selection protocol is established, before the selection timeout time ends based on the sum of the management communication establishment processing time and the control communication establishment processing and the selection timeout time. In addition, a fourth determination process for determining whether or not communication according to the management protocol and communication according to the control protocol are established in response to the update of the control program may be executed. As a result, when it is determined that at least one of the communication by the management protocol and the control protocol is not established before the non-selection timeout time ends in the second determination process, the first and second determination processes are the management protocol and The third and fourth determination processes in which the order of the communication establishment processes of the control protocol is changed are executed. Therefore, when it is determined that the session is disconnected in the second determination process, it can be determined whether or not the session is maintained by changing the order of the communication establishment processes of the management protocol and the control protocol.

(9) In the communication device according to the present embodiment, in the fourth determination process, the program update unit establishes communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol before the end of the selection timeout time. When it is determined that the program update process is performed, the program update unit executes communication by the non-selection protocol before the non-selection timeout time ends in the third determination process. When it is determined that it is not established, it is not necessary to execute the non-instantaneous update process. As a result, it is determined that the communication by the non-selection protocol is established before the non-selection timeout time ends, and the communication by the management protocol and the control protocol is established before the selection timeout time ends. In that case, the non-instantaneous update process is executed. That is, when it is determined that each session according to the management protocol and the control protocol is not disconnected, the non-instantaneous update process can be executed. Further, if communication by the non-selection protocol is not established before the non-selection timeout time ends, the non-intermittent update process is not executed. That is, when it is determined that the session by the non-selection protocol is disconnected, the non-intermittent update process is not executed, and the disconnection of the session by the non-selection protocol can be avoided.

(10) In the communication device according to the present embodiment, the communication establishment unit establishes communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol before the end of the selection timeout time in the fourth determination process. The second communication establishment process may be executed, and after the second communication establishment process is completed, the first communication establishment process may be executed. As a result, when it is determined that the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol are established before the selection timeout time ends in the fourth determination process, the second communication management process related to the non-selection protocol, And the first communication management process related to the selected protocol is executed in order. Therefore, it is possible to avoid disconnection of each session by the non-selection protocol and the selection protocol.

(11) In the communication device according to the present embodiment, the time calculation unit uses a first communication establishment processing time for establishing communication by the first communication protocol and a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. Each of the second communication establishment processing time for establishing communication is calculated, and the determination unit determines the first communication establishment processing time calculated by the time calculation unit and the first communication establishment processing time determined by the first protocol. Based on the time-out time, the first determination process for determining whether or not communication by the first protocol is established in response to the update of the control program before the end of the first time-out time, and the time. Before the end of the second timeout time, based on the sum of the first communication establishment processing time and the second communication establishment processing time calculated by the calculation unit and the second timeout time defined by the second protocol. In addition, a second determination process for determining whether or not each of the communication according to the first protocol and the communication according to the second protocol is established according to the update of the control program may be executed. As a result, it is possible to avoid disconnection of the session by the first protocol and the second protocol.

(12) The communication method according to the present embodiment is a communication method in which the communication device communicates with the opposite device by the communication protocol, and the communication between the communication device and the opposite device is performed by the communication protocol. Based on the step of calculating the communication establishment processing time for establishment, the calculated communication establishment processing time, and the timeout time determined by the communication protocol, the communication device of the communication device before the timeout time ends. A step of determining whether or not communication by the communication protocol is established between the communication device and the opposite device according to the update of the control program, and communication by the communication protocol before the timeout time ends. Includes a step of executing a non-instantaneous update process for updating the control program without restarting the communication device when it is determined that is established. As a result, the control program is updated before the timeout time ends, and communication with the opposite device by the communication protocol is established. Moreover, no dedicated circuitry is needed to maintain the session. Therefore, it is possible to avoid disconnection of the session due to the update of the control program while suppressing the cost of the communication device.

(13) The computer program according to the present embodiment is a computer program for causing a computer to function as a communication device that communicates with an opposite device by a communication protocol, and causes the computer to have the communication device and the opposite device. The timeout is based on a step of calculating a communication establishment processing time for establishing communication with the communication protocol between the two, the calculated communication establishment processing time, and a timeout time determined by the communication protocol. Before the end of the time, a step of determining whether or not communication by the communication protocol is established between the communication device and the opposite device in response to an update of the control program of the communication device, and the timeout. When it is determined that communication by the communication protocol is established before the end of the time, a step of executing a non-interruptive update process for updating the control program without restarting the communication device. Let it run. As a result, the control program is updated before the timeout time ends, and communication with the opposite device by the communication protocol is established. Moreover, no dedicated circuitry is needed to maintain the session. Therefore, it is possible to avoid disconnection of the session due to the update of the control program while suppressing the cost of the communication device.

<Details of Embodiments of the present disclosure>
Hereinafter, the details of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, at least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[1. Communication system configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a communication system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 10 includes a master station device (first communication device) 1, a slave station device (second communication device) 2, and a communication line 3.

The first and second communication devices 1 and 2 are communication devices that function as line termination devices, respectively. Therefore, the communication line 3 is terminated at the connection end with the first and second communication devices 1 and 2.

The communication line 3 is composed of a communication cable such as an optical fiber or a coaxial cable. A wireless communication transmission line may be adopted instead of the communication line 3. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the communication line 3 is an optical fiber.
The first communication device 1 located on the upper side of the communication system 10 is communicably connected to the upper network 5, and the second communication device 2 located on the lower side of the communication system 10 is communicably connected to the lower network 6. Has been done. The lower network 6 is composed of, for example, a home LAN (Local Area Network) or an in-house LAN.

The first and second communication devices 1 and 2 can transmit and receive communication data which is a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) such as an Ethernet frame and an IP (Internet Protocol) packet, and are Ether-OAM (Ethernet OAM, OAM: Operations, It is a communication device that supports Administration and Maintenance. Further, the first and second communication devices 1 and 2 have the function of Link-OAM specified in IEEE802.3ah. That is, the first and second communication devices 1 and 2 can communicate by Ether-OAM and Link-OAM through the communication line 3.
Link-OAM is an OAM function and a control protocol that is premised on use in P2P (Point to Point) for the purpose of monitoring the physical line and communication status between a pair of Ethernet devices. Ether-OAM is also one of the OAM functions and is a control protocol.

The first communication device 1 can communicate with the upper network 5 (opposite device belonging to) by LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol). LACP is a protocol for bundling a plurality of physical ports and treating them as one logical channel, and is a control protocol.

The second communication device 2 can further communicate with the lower network 6 (opposite device belonging to) by Ether-OAM and Link-OAM, respectively.

In the example of FIG. 1, the first communication device 1 which is the upper line termination device is the "master station device 1", and the second communication device 2 which is the lower line termination device is the "slave station device 2". is there.

Further, the first communication device 1 is connected to the maintenance device 7 and the management device 8 via the communication line 9. The first communication device 1 can communicate with the maintenance device 7 by telnet and SSH (Secure Shell, SSH is a registered trademark), respectively. Further, the first communication device 1 can communicate with the management device 8 by SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and syslog. Telnet and SSH are communication protocols and management protocols for remotely controlling devices on an IP network. SNMP is a communication protocol for monitoring network devices on an IP network, and is a management protocol. Syslog is a communication protocol for transferring logs of devices on an IP network, and is a management protocol.

[2. Internal configuration of master station device]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the master station device 1. In FIG. 2, the solid line arrow indicates the transmission direction of the communication data, and the broken line arrow indicates the internal bus of the control signal.
As shown in FIG. 2, the master station apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has an upper interface unit 11, a control unit 12, a reception processing unit 13, a transmission processing unit 14, a counter interface unit 15, an uplink buffer 16, and a downlink buffer 17. , Communication processing unit 18, and communication interface unit 19.

The upper interface unit 11 includes an integrated circuit that executes communication processing of layers 1 and 2 with respect to electrical signals in the upward and downward directions.
The control unit 12, the reception processing unit 13, and the transmission processing unit 14 are integrated circuits (for example,) that execute communication processing in accordance with a predetermined communication standard such as IEEE 802.3ah for the communication data in the uplink direction and the downlink direction. MAC chip).

The reception processing unit 13 and the transmission processing unit 14 are composed of logic circuit devices designed to enable specific information processing, and include, for example, at least one of an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and an FPGA.

The interface unit 15 on the opposite side comprises an optical communication device (for example, a pluggable optical transceiver) including an element for transmitting and receiving an optical signal.
The interface unit 15 on the opposite side converts the optical signal received from the optical fiber 3 into communication data composed of an electric signal, and outputs the converted communication data to the reception processing unit 13. The opposite side interface unit 15 converts the communication data from the transmission processing unit 14 into an optical signal, and sends the converted optical signal to the optical fiber 3.

The reception processing unit 13 can execute the "control protocol determination process". This process is a process of determining whether or not the communication data input from the opposite side interface unit 15 is the control data of the control protocol (hereinafter, referred to as “control protocol data”). The control protocol data includes communication frames for each of Link-OAM, LACP, and Ether-OAM. In the control protocol determination process, it is determined whether the input communication data is a Link-OAM, LACP, or Ether-OAM communication frame, or a PDU other than those.

When the reception processing unit 13 determines that the input communication data is the control protocol data, the reception processing unit 13 outputs the control protocol data to the control unit 12. When it is determined that the input communication data is not the control protocol data, the reception processing unit 13 outputs the communication data to the uplink buffer 16.

The upper interface unit 11 converts the carrier signal received from the upper network 5 into communication data, and outputs the converted communication data to the downlink buffer 17.
If there is communication data in the uplink buffer 16, the upper interface unit 11 converts the communication data into a carrier signal and sends the converted carrier signal to the upper network 5.

If there is communication data in the downlink buffer 17, the transmission processing unit 14 takes out the communication data from the downlink buffer 17 while the control protocol data is input from the control unit 12, and outputs the communication data to the interface unit 15 on the opposite side.

The communication interface unit 19 includes, for example, a network interface circuit corresponding to Ethernet (registered trademark). The communication interface unit 19 has a connection port (not shown). A network cable compatible with Ethernet is connected to the connection port. The network cable is a part of the communication line 9. That is, the master station device 1 is connected to the IP network including the maintenance device 7 and the management device 8 by the communication interface unit 19.

The communication processing unit 18 can send and receive frames of each management protocol of telnet, SSH, SNMP, and syslog. The communication processing unit 18 outputs the received frame to the control unit 12. When the communication processing unit 18 receives the transmission frame addressed to the maintenance device 7 or the management device 8 from the control unit 12, the communication processing unit 18 outputs the transmission frame to the communication interface 19.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit 12. In a specific example, the control unit 12 includes a processor 12a which is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a non-transient memory 12b, a transient memory 12c, and an input / output interface 12d.

The transient memory 12c is, for example, a volatile memory such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The non-transient memory 12b is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a hard disk, or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The non-transient memory 12b stores the control program 12e, which is a computer program, and the data used for executing the control program 12e. The control unit 12 is configured to include a computer, and each function of the control unit 12 is exhibited by executing the control program 12e, which is a computer program stored in the storage device of the computer, by the processor 12a. The control program 12e can be stored in a recording medium such as a flash memory, a ROM, or a CD-ROM. The processor 12a executes the control program 12e and executes a process as described later.

The non-transient memory 12b stores a configuration definition file (start-up configuration) 100 including configuration definition information (setting information) in the master station apparatus 1. The configuration definition file 100 is read by the processor 12a when the control program 12e is started, and is used for setting the control program 12e and the master station device 1 for example, regarding communication. The configuration definition file 100 includes configuration definition information of control protocols (Ether-OAM, Link-OAM, LACP) and configuration definition information of management protocols (telnet, SSH, SNMP, syslog).

A timeout period is specified for each of the control protocol and the management protocol. The configuration definition information of the control protocol and the management protocol includes a timeout time. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the regulation of the time-out time of the control protocol and the management protocol.

For each of the control protocols LACP, Link-OAM, and Ether-OAM, the minimum and maximum timeout times are defined by the standard. Specifically, for LACP, the IEEE 802.3ad defines that the minimum value of the timeout time is 3 seconds and the maximum value is 90 seconds. For Link-OAM, IEEE 802.3ah stipulates that the minimum value of the timeout time is 2 seconds and the maximum value is 30 seconds. For Ether-OAM, see ITU-T Y. 1731 and IEEE 802.1ag specify a minimum timeout period of 3.3 milliseconds and a maximum timeout of 10 minutes. The control protocol timeout period is set in the range between the minimum and maximum values.

The minimum timeout time is set for each of the management protocols telnet, SSH, SNMP, and syslog. As shown in FIG. 4, the minimum timeout time for each management protocol is 1 second. There is no maximum value for the management protocol timeout. Therefore, the timeout time can be set to any value as long as it is 1 second or longer. That is, the maximum timeout period for the management protocol is infinite. The management protocol timeout time is set to a value of 1 second or longer.

See FIG. 3 again. The input / output interface 12d is connected to each of the upper interface unit 11, the reception processing unit 13, the transmission processing unit 14, the opposite side interface unit 15, and the communication processing unit 18, and can input and output signals. That is, the processor 12a can control the upper interface unit 11, the reception processing unit 13, the transmission processing unit 14, the opposite side interface unit 15, and the communication processing unit 18 through the input / output interface 12d. The received data output from the reception processing unit 13 and the communication processing unit 18 is given to the processor 12a through the input / output interface 12d. The transmission data generated by the processor 12a is output to the transmission processing unit 14 or the communication processing unit 18 through the input / output interface 12d.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the function of the control unit 12 of the master station device 1 according to the present embodiment. The control unit 12 has functions as an input unit 121, a time calculation unit 122, a selection unit 123, a determination unit 124, a program update unit 125, and a communication establishment unit 126.

The input unit 121 receives the input of the configuration definition information of the control protocol and the management protocol stored in the non-transient memory 12b. The configuration definition information includes the setting value of the timeout time of each protocol.

The time calculation unit 122 calculates the communication establishment processing time for establishing communication by the communication protocol between the master station device 1 which is a communication device and the opposite device. In a specific example, the time calculation unit 122 calculates the management communication establishment processing time for establishing the communication by the management protocol. Further, the time calculation unit 122 calculates the control communication establishment processing time for establishing the communication by the control protocol.

As an example, the management communication establishment processing time T_M is the basic processing time TB, which is the minimum time required for communication establishment by the management protocol, and the configuration processing time TA according to the number of configuration definitions (number of configurations) to be set. It is calculated as the sum of and. The basic processing time TB is the time required for establishing communication only in the most basic configuration, that is, when the number of configurations is 0. When the number of configurations is 1 or more, the communication time required for setting is generated for each configuration definition. The configuration processing time TA is the time obtained by excluding the basic processing time TB from the total time required for establishing communication by the management protocol. When the number of configurations is 1 or more, communication time for setting is required for each configuration definition. The configuration processing time TA is the sum of the communication times for all the configuration definitions that need to be set. In the present embodiment, the management communication establishment processing time T_M is the sum of the communication establishment processing times by all the management protocols.

For example, assume that the basic processing time TB in SSH is 2 seconds and the configuration processing time TA in one configuration definition is 0.5 seconds. When the number of configurations is 3, the communication establishment processing time of SSH is 2 + 3 × 0.5 = 3.5 seconds. For example, assume that the basic processing time TB in SNMP is 3 seconds and the configuration processing time TA in one configuration definition is 0.5 seconds. When the number of configurations is 4, the communication establishment processing time of SNMP is 3 + 4 × 0.5 = 5 seconds. For example, assume that the basic processing time TB in syslog is 2.5 seconds and the configuration processing time TA in one configuration definition is 0.5 seconds. When the number of configurations is 5, the communication establishment processing time of syslog is 2.5 + 5 × 0.5 = 5 seconds. When the management protocols used by the master station device 1 are SSH, SNMP, and syslog, the management communication establishment processing time T_M is 3.5 + 5 + 5 = 13.5 seconds.

As an example, the control communication establishment processing time T_C is the sum of the communication establishment processing times T, which is the time required for establishing communication by each control protocol.

For example, assume that the communication establishment processing time T in LACP is 2 seconds, the communication establishment processing time T in Link-OAM is 3.5 seconds, and the communication establishment processing time T in Ether-OAM is 3 seconds. When the control protocols used by the master station device 1 are LACP, Link-OAM and Ether-OAM, the control communication establishment processing time T_C is 2 + 3.5 + 3 = 8.5 seconds.

The selection unit 123 selects either the management protocol or the control protocol. As a specific example, the configuration definition file 100 includes a setting value for identifying one of the management protocol and the control protocol that is prioritized. For example, when the management protocol is prioritized, the configuration definition file 100 includes a setting value for identifying the management protocol. On the other hand, when the control protocol is prioritized, the configuration definition file 100 includes a setting value for identifying the control protocol. The selection unit 123 refers to the setting value of the preferred communication protocol included in the configuration definition file 100, and selects the preferred communication protocol from the management protocol and the control protocol.

The determination unit 124 updates the control program 12e of the master station device 1 before the timeout time expires based on the communication establishment processing time calculated by the time calculation unit 122 and the timeout time determined by the communication protocol. Correspondingly, it is determined whether or not communication by the communication protocol between the master station device 1 and the opposite device is established. Specifically, for example, the determination unit 124 determines the management communication establishment processing time T_M calculated by the time calculation unit 122, the control communication establishment processing time T_C, and the timeout time before the timeout time ends. It is determined whether or not communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established according to the update of the control program 12e.

The timeout time is either the management timeout time TO_M (first timeout time), which is the timeout time defined by the management protocol, or the control timeout time TO_C (second timeout time), which is the timeout time defined by the control protocol. It may be one. That is, the determination unit 124 establishes communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol according to the update of the control program 12e before either one of the management timeout time TO_M and the control timeout time TO_C ends. You may decide whether or not to do so.

Further, when a plurality of management protocols are used by the master station apparatus 1, the management timeout time TO_M may be the minimum timeout time among the timeout times defined by each of the plurality of management protocols. Specifically, when the master station device 1 uses SSH, SNMP, and syslog as the management protocol, and the minimum value of each timeout time of SSH, SNMP, and syslog is the SSH timeout time. The management timeout time TO_M is the SSH timeout time. When a plurality of control protocols are used by the master station apparatus 1, the control timeout time TO_C may be the minimum timeout time among the timeout times defined by each of the plurality of control protocols. Specifically, when the master station device 1 uses LACP, Link-OAM, and Ether-OAM as control protocols, the minimum value among the timeout times of LACP, Link-OAM, and Ether-OAM is When it is the LACP timeout time, the control timeout time TO_C is the LACP timeout time.

In a specific example, the determination unit 124 may execute the first determination process and the second determination process. The first determination process includes the communication establishment processing time corresponding to the communication protocol (selection protocol) selected by the selection unit 123, and the selection timeout that corresponds to the selection protocol among the management timeout time TO_M and the control timeout time TO_C. Based on the time, it is a process of determining whether or not communication by the selection protocol is established before the selection timeout time ends. Specifically, when the management protocol is selected by the selection unit 123, the selection protocol is the management protocol. In the first determination process, it is determined whether or not communication by the management protocol is established before the management timeout time TO_M ends, based on the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the management timeout time TO_M. On the other hand, when the control protocol is selected by the selection unit 123, the selection protocol is the control protocol. In the first determination process, it is determined whether or not communication by the control protocol is established before the control timeout time TO_C ends, based on the control communication establishment processing time T_C and the control timeout time TO_C.

FIG. 6A is a diagram for explaining an example of the first determination process and the second determination process by the determination unit 124 of the master station apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the management protocol is selected by the selection unit 123. The master station device 1 uses SSH, SNMP, and syslog as management protocols. In this case, the sum of the communication establishment processing times by SSH, SNMP, and syslog is the management communication establishment processing time T_M. In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the management timeout time TO_M is longer than the management communication establishment processing time T_M. In the example of FIG. 6A, the communication establishment processes of the management protocols SSH, SNMP, and syslog are executed sequentially. The execution order of the communication establishment process is the order of SSH, SNMP, and syslog. At the start time t0 of the SSH communication establishment process that is executed first, the time-out time counting is started. Therefore, the management communication establishment processing time T_M ends at the time t11 before the management timeout time TO_M ends. That is, communication by the management protocol is established before the management timeout time TO_M ends. Therefore, in the first determination process, communication by the management protocol, which is the selection protocol, is established before the management timeout time TO_M, which is the selection timeout time, ends based on the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the management timeout time TO_M. It is determined that it will be done.

The second determination process is based on the sum of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication establishment processing T_C and the non-selection timeout time which is the other of the management timeout time TO_M and the control timeout time TO_C. This is a process of determining whether or not communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established according to the update of the control program 12e before the end of the time. Specifically, when the management protocol is selected by the selection unit 123, the non-selection protocol is the control protocol. In the second determination process, the management protocol is based on the sum of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication establishment processing T_C and the control timeout time TO_C (non-selection timeout time) before the control timeout time TO_C ends. It is determined whether or not each of the communication by the control protocol and the communication by the control protocol is established. On the other hand, when the control protocol is selected by the selection unit 123, the non-selection protocol is the management protocol. In the second determination process, the management protocol is based on the sum of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication establishment processing T_C and the management timeout time TO_M (non-selection timeout time) before the management timeout time TO_M ends. It is determined whether or not each of the communication by the control protocol and the communication by the control protocol is established.

The master station device 1 uses LACP, Link-OAM, and Ether-OAM as control protocols. In this case, the sum of the communication establishment processing times by each of LACP, Link-OAM, and Ether-OAM is the control communication establishment processing time T_C. In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the control timeout time TO_C is longer than the sum of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication processing time T_C. In the example of FIG. 6A, the communication establishment processes of the control protocols LACP, Link-OAM, and Ether-OAM are sequentially executed after the communication establishment process of the management protocol. The execution order of the communication establishment process is the order of LACP, Link-OAM, and Ether-OAM. The count of the control timeout time TO_C is also started at the start time t0 of the communication establishment process of SSH. Therefore, the control communication establishment processing time T_C ends at the time t12 before the control timeout time TO_C ends. That is, before the control timeout time TO_C ends, each of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol is established. Therefore, in the second determination process, based on the sum of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication establishment process T_C and the control timeout time TO_C, before the control timeout time TO_C, which is the non-selection timeout time, ends, It is determined that communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established respectively.

See FIG. 3 again. When the determination unit 124 determines that the communication by the communication protocol is established before the timeout time ends, the program update unit 125 updates the control program 12e without restarting the master station device 1. Executes the momentary update process. In a specific example, when the program update unit 125 determines in the second determination process that each of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol is established before the non-selection timeout time ends. Executes the non-instantaneous update process. Further, the program update unit 125 does not execute the non-instantaneous update process when it is determined in the first determination process that communication by the selection protocol is not established before the selection timeout time ends. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 6A, in the second determination process, it is determined that the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol are established before the control timeout time TO_C (non-selection timeout time) ends. Therefore, the program update unit 125 executes the non-instantaneous update process.

The communication establishment unit 126 executes a communication establishment process for establishing communication by a communication protocol between the master station device 1 and the opposite device. In a specific example, when the communication establishment unit 126 determines in the second determination process that each of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol is established before the non-selection timeout time ends. The first communication establishment process and the second communication establishment process can be executed. The first communication establishment process is a process for establishing communication by the selection protocol. The second communication establishment process is a process for establishing communication by a communication protocol (non-selection protocol) that is not selected by the selection unit 123 among the management protocol and the control protocol. The communication establishment unit 126 may execute the first communication establishment process prior to the second communication establishment process, and execute the second communication establishment process after the first communication establishment process is completed.

In the example shown in FIG. 6A, in the second determination process, it is determined that the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol are established before the control timeout time (non-selection timeout time) ends. Therefore, the communication establishment unit 126 executes the first communication establishment process and the second communication establishment process.

FIG. 6B is a diagram for explaining another example of the first determination process by the determination unit 124 of the master station apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the management timeout time TO_M is shorter than the management communication establishment processing time T_M. Therefore, even after the management timeout time TO_M ends, the management communication establishment processing time T_M continues. That is, communication by the management protocol is not established before the management timeout time TO_M ends. Therefore, in the first determination process, communication by the management protocol, which is the selection protocol, is established before the management timeout time TO_M, which is the selection timeout time, ends based on the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the management timeout time TO_M. It is judged that it is not done.

Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 6B, in the first determination process, it is determined that communication by the management protocol (selection protocol) is not established before the management timeout time TO_M (selection timeout time) ends, so that the program is updated. The unit 125 does not execute the non-instantaneous update process. Further, in this case, the determination unit 124 does not execute the second determination process. Therefore, the communication establishment unit 126 also does not execute the first communication establishment process and the second communication establishment process.

FIG. 6C is a diagram for explaining still another example of the first determination process and the second determination process by the determination unit 124 of the master station apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 6C, the management timeout time TO_M is longer than the management communication establishment processing time T_M. Therefore, as in the example shown in FIG. 6A, in the first determination process, based on the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the management timeout time TO_M, before the management timeout time TO_M, which is the selection timeout time, ends, It is determined that communication is established by the management protocol, which is the selected protocol.

In the example shown in FIG. 6C, the control timeout time TO_C is shorter than the sum of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication processing time T_C. Therefore, even after the control timeout time TO_C ends, the control communication establishment processing time T_C continues. That is, communication by the control protocol is not established before the control timeout time TO_C ends. Therefore, in the second determination process, based on the sum of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication establishment process T_C and the control timeout time TO_C, before the control timeout time TO_C, which is the non-selection timeout time, ends, It is determined that at least one of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol is not established.

Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 6C, in the second determination process, it is determined that at least one of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol is not established before the control timeout time TO_C (non-selection timeout time) ends. Therefore, the program update unit 125 does not execute the non-instantaneous update process. Further, in this case, the communication establishment unit 126 also does not execute the first communication establishment process and the second communication establishment process.

See FIG. 3 again. The determination unit 124 may execute the third determination process and the fourth determination process. The determination unit 124 executes the third determination process when it is determined in the second determination process that at least one of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol is not established before the non-selection timeout time ends. You may. The third determination process is based on the communication establishment processing time corresponding to the non-selection protocol and the non-selection timeout time, and the communication by the non-selection protocol is performed according to the update of the control program 12e before the non-selection timeout time ends. Is a process for determining whether or not is established. Specifically, when the management protocol is selected by the selection unit 123, the non-selection protocol is the control protocol. In the third determination process, it is determined whether or not communication by the control protocol is established before the control timeout time TO_C ends, based on the control communication establishment processing time T_C and the control timeout time TO_C. On the other hand, when the control protocol is selected by the selection unit 123, the non-selection protocol is the management protocol. In the third determination process, it is determined whether or not communication by the management protocol is established before the management timeout time TO_M ends, based on the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the management timeout time TO_M. That is, the third determination process is a process in which the communication protocol to be determined is replaced from the first determination process.

In the example shown in FIG. 6C, in the second determination process, it is determined that at least one of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol is not established before the control timeout time TO_C (non-selection timeout time) ends. , The determination unit 124 executes the third determination process.

FIG. 6D is a diagram for explaining an example of the third determination process and the fourth determination process by the determination unit 124 of the master station apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The third determination process and the fourth determination process, which are continuously executed from the example shown in FIG. 6C, will be described with reference to FIG. 6D. In the example shown in FIG. 6D, the control timeout time TO_C is longer than the control communication establishment processing time T_C. Therefore, the control communication establishment processing time T_C ends at the time t21 before the control timeout time TO_C ends. That is, communication by the control protocol is established before the control timeout time TO_C ends. Therefore, in the third determination process, communication by the control protocol, which is a non-selection protocol, is performed before the control timeout time TO_C, which is the non-selection timeout time, ends, based on the control communication establishment processing time T_C and the control timeout time TO_C. Is determined to be established.

The fourth determination process is based on the sum of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication establishment process T_C and the selection timeout time, and the management protocol is updated according to the update of the control program 12e before the selection timeout time ends. It is a process of determining whether or not each of the communication by the control protocol and the communication by the control protocol is established. Specifically, when the management protocol is selected by the selection unit 123, the selection protocol is the management protocol. In the fourth determination process, the management protocol is used before the management timeout time TO_M ends, based on the sum of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication establishment processing time T_C and the management timeout time TO_M (selection timeout time). It is determined whether or not each of the communication and the communication by the control protocol is established. On the other hand, when the control protocol is selected by the selection unit 123, the selection protocol is the control protocol. In the fourth determination process, based on the sum of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication establishment processing T_C and the control timeout time TO_C (selection timeout time), the management protocol is used before the control timeout time TO_C ends. It is determined whether or not each of the communication and the communication by the control protocol is established.

In the example shown in FIG. 6D, the management timeout time TO_M is longer than the sum of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication processing time T_C. Therefore, the management communication establishment processing time T_M ends at the time t22 before the management timeout time TO_M ends. That is, before the management timeout time TO_M ends, communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established. Therefore, in the fourth determination process, management is performed before the end of the management timeout time TO_M, which is the selection timeout time, based on the sum of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication establishment processing time T_C and the management timeout time TO_M. It is determined that communication by protocol and communication by control protocol are established respectively.

See FIG. 3 again. In a specific example, the program update unit 125 controls when it is determined in the fourth determination process that communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established before the selection timeout time ends. The non-instantaneous update process of the program 12e is executed. Further, the program update unit 125 does not execute the non-interruptive update process of the control program when it is determined in the third determination process that communication by the non-selection protocol is not established before the non-selection timeout time ends. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 6D, in the fourth determination process, it is determined that the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol are established before the management timeout time TO_M (selection timeout time) ends. Therefore, the program update unit 125 executes the non-instantaneous update process of the control program 12e.

In a specific example, when it is determined in the fourth determination process that the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol are established before the selection timeout time ends, the communication establishment unit 126 is the first. One communication establishment process and a second communication establishment process can be executed. The communication establishment unit 126 may execute the second communication establishment process prior to the first communication establishment process, and execute the first communication establishment process after the second communication establishment process is completed.

In the example shown in FIG. 6D, in the fourth determination process, it is determined that the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol are established before the management timeout time TO_M (selection timeout time) ends. Therefore, the communication establishment unit 126 executes the second communication establishment process and the first communication establishment process.

FIG. 6E is a diagram for explaining another example of the third determination process by the determination unit 124 of the master station apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 6E, the control timeout time TO_C is shorter than the control communication establishment processing time T_C. Therefore, even after the control timeout time TO_C ends, the control communication establishment processing time T_C continues. That is, communication by the control protocol is not established before the control timeout time TO_C ends. Therefore, in the third determination process, communication by the control protocol, which is a non-selection protocol, is performed before the control timeout time TO_C, which is the non-selection timeout time, ends, based on the control communication establishment processing time T_C and the control timeout time TO_C. Is determined not to be established.

Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 6E, in the third determination process, it is determined that the communication by the control protocol (non-selection protocol) is not established before the control timeout time TO_C (non-selection timeout time) ends. The program update unit 125 does not execute the non-instantaneous update process of the control program 12e. Further, in this case, the determination unit 124 does not execute the fourth determination process. Therefore, the communication establishment unit 126 also does not execute the second communication establishment process and the first communication establishment process.

FIG. 6F is a diagram for explaining still another example of the third determination process and the fourth determination process by the determination unit 124 of the master station apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 6F, the control timeout time TO_C is longer than the control communication establishment processing time T_C. Therefore, as in the example shown in FIG. 6D, in the third determination process, based on the control communication establishment processing time T_C and the control timeout time TO_C, before the control timeout time TO_C, which is the non-selection timeout time, ends. , It is determined that communication by the control protocol, which is a non-selection protocol, is established.

In the example shown in FIG. 6F, the management timeout time TO_M is shorter than the sum of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication processing time T_C. Therefore, even after the management timeout time TO_M ends, the management communication establishment processing time T_M continues. That is, communication by the management protocol is not established before the management timeout time TO_M ends. Therefore, in the fourth determination process, management is performed before the end of the management timeout time TO_M, which is the selection timeout time, based on the sum of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication establishment processing time T_C and the management timeout time TO_M. It is determined that at least one of protocol communication and control protocol communication is not established.

Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 6F, in the fourth determination process, it is determined that at least one of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol is not established before the management timeout time TO_M (selection timeout time) ends. Therefore, the program update unit 125 does not execute the non-instantaneous update process of the control program 12e. Further, in this case, the communication establishment unit 126 also does not execute the second communication establishment process and the first communication establishment process.

The functions of the input unit 121, the time calculation unit 122, the selection unit 123, the determination unit 124, the program update unit 125, and the communication establishment unit 126 are realized by the processor 12a.

[3. Operation of master station device]
Hereinafter, the operation of the master station device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The processor 12a of the master station apparatus 1 executes the next communication establishment determination process by executing the control program 12e.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the communication establishment determination process by the master station device 1 according to the present embodiment.

The update data (patch data of the control program 12e or new control program data) for updating the control program 12e is recorded on a recording medium such as a flash memory or a CD-ROM, or from an external device such as a server (not shown). It is downloaded and provided to the master station device 1. In the master station device 1, a normal program update that updates the control program 12e with the restart of the master station device 1 and a non-interruption program update that updates the control program 12e without restarting the master station device 1 are selected. It is feasible. In the communication establishment determination process, the processor 12a determines whether or not to update the program without interruption (step S101).

When the program is not updated without interruption (NO in step S101), the processor 12a normally executes the program update (step S102). That is, the processor 12a rewrites the control program 12e stored in the non-transient memory 12b and restarts the master station device 1. At the time of restart, the communication establishment determination process ends.

When updating the program without interruption (YES in step S101), the processor 12a, for example, from the configuration definition file 100 of the non-transient memory 12b, manages the management protocol (SSH, SNMP, syslog) and the control protocol (LACP, Link-). Read out the respective timeout times of OAM and Ether-OAM (step S103).

The processor 12a sets the minimum value among the timeout times of the plurality of management protocols in the management timeout time TO_M (step S104). Further, the processor 12a sets the minimum value among the timeout times of the plurality of control protocols in the control timeout time TO_C (step S105).

For example, the processor 12a reads the priority information of the communication protocol included in the configuration definition file 100 from the non-transient memory 12b, and determines whether to prioritize the management protocol or the control protocol (step S106). When the management protocol is prioritized (YES in step S106), the processor 12a executes the management protocol priority determination process (step S107). When the control protocol is prioritized (NO in step S106), the processor 12a executes the control protocol priority determination process (step S108).

The management protocol priority determination process selects the management protocol as the priority target from the management protocol and the control protocol, and determines whether or not communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established before the timeout period expires. It is a process for. In a specific example, in the management protocol priority determination process, whether or not communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established when the communication establishment process of the management protocol is preceded by the communication establishment process of the control protocol. This is a process for determining. That is, the process of step S107 includes selecting the management protocol as a priority target.

The control protocol priority determination process selects the control protocol as the priority target from the management protocol and the control protocol, and determines whether or not the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol are established before the timeout time expires. It is a process for. In a specific example, in the control protocol priority determination process, whether or not communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established when the communication establishment process of the control protocol precedes the communication establishment process of the management protocol. This is a process for determining. That is, the process of step S108 includes selecting the control protocol as a priority target.

When the management protocol priority determination process or the control protocol priority determination process is completed, the communication establishment determination process ends.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the management protocol priority determination process by the master station apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

In the management protocol priority determination process, the processor 12a first executes the management communication establishment processing time calculation process (step S111). The management communication establishment processing time calculation process is a process for calculating the management communication establishment processing time T_M.

Here, the management communication establishment processing time calculation processing will be described in detail. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the management communication establishment processing time calculation processing by the master station apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

In the management communication establishment processing time calculation process, the processor 12a first determines the management protocol to be reset (step S151). In step S151, for example, the processor 12a determines SSH, SNMP, and syslog as the protocols to be reconfigured when SSH, SNMP, and syslog should be reconfigured among telnet, SSH, SNMP, and syslog. To do. In this process, for example, the configuration definition file 100 is referred to, and the number N of management protocols to be reset is determined.

Next, the processor 12a sets the management communication establishment processing time T_M to the initial value (0) (step S152). Further, the processor 12a sets the index (number) n indicating the management protocol to be processed to the initial value (1) (step S153).

The processor 12a reads the basic processing time TB_n in the nth management protocol from, for example, the non-transient memory 12b (step S154). Further, the processor 12a specifies the number of configurations of the nth management protocol from the set value in the configuration definition file 100, and calculates the configuration processing time TA_n according to the specified number of configurations (step S155).

The processor 12a calculates the communication establishment processing time T_n in the nth management protocol as the sum of the basic processing time TB_n and the configuration processing time TA_n (step S156). Further, the processor 12a sets the result of adding the calculated communication establishment processing time T_n to the management communication establishment processing time T_M as a new management communication establishment processing time T_M (step S157).

The processor 12a determines whether or not n is N or more (step S158). If n is less than N (NO in step S158), processor 12a increments n by 1 (step S159) and returns processing to step S154. When n is N or more (YES in step S158), the management communication establishment processing time calculation process ends. As a result, the time required to establish communication in all the management protocols to be reset is calculated.

See FIG. 8 again. The processor 12a determines whether or not the calculated management communication establishment processing time T_M is larger than the management timeout time TO_M (step S112). When the management communication establishment processing time T_M is larger than the management timeout time TO_M (YES in step S112), it is estimated that the management timeout time TO_M ends before the management protocol communication is established in response to the update of the control program 12e. .. That is, it is presumed that the session of the management protocol is disconnected when the control program 12e is updated. Therefore, the management protocol priority determination process ends without executing the non-instantaneous update process.

When the management communication establishment processing time T_M is equal to or less than the management timeout time TO_M (NO in step S112), the management protocol communication may be established according to the update of the control program 12e before the management timeout time TO_M ends. Presumed. That is, it is estimated that the session of the management protocol is not disconnected when the control program 12e is updated. In this case, the processor 12a executes the control communication establishment processing time calculation process (step S113). The control communication establishment processing time calculation process is a process for calculating the control communication establishment processing time T_C.

Here, the control communication establishment processing time calculation processing will be described in detail. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for calculating the control communication establishment processing time by the master station apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

In the control communication establishment processing time calculation process, the processor 12a first determines the control protocol to be reset (step S161). In step S161, for example, when the processor 12a should reconfigure LACP, Link-OAM and Ether-OAM among LACP, Link-OAM and Ether-OAM, LACP, Link- Determine OAM and Ether-OAM. In this process, for example, the configuration definition file 100 is referred to, and the number M of control protocols to be reset is determined.

Next, the processor 12a sets the control communication establishment processing time T_C to the initial value (0) (step S162). Further, the processor 12a sets the index (number) m indicating the control protocol to be processed to the initial value (1) (step S163).

The processor 12a reads the communication establishment processing time T_m in the m-th control protocol from, for example, the non-transient memory 12b (step S164).

The processor 12a sets the result of adding the communication establishment processing time T_m in the m-th control protocol to the control communication establishment processing time T_C as a new control communication establishment processing time T_C (step S165).

The processor 12a determines whether or not m is M or more (step S166). If m is less than M (NO in step S166), the processor 12a increments m by 1 (step S167) and returns processing to step S164. When m is M or more (YES in step S166), the control communication establishment processing time calculation process ends. As a result, the time required to establish communication in all the control protocols to be reset is calculated.

See FIG. 8 again. The processor 12a determines whether or not the sum (T_M + T_C) of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication establishment processing time T_C is larger than the control timeout time TO_C (step S114). When T_M + T_C is equal to or less than the control timeout time TO_C (NO in step S114), it is presumed that communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established before the control timeout time TO_C ends. That is, if the communication establishment process of the management protocol is executed at the time of updating the control program 12e and then the communication establishment process of the control protocol is executed, it is estimated that the sessions of the management protocol and the control protocol are not disconnected. .. In this case, the processor 12a executes the non-instantaneous update process (step S115) and executes the management communication establishment process (step S116). The management communication establishment process is a process for establishing communication by all management protocols to be reset. Further, the processor 12a executes the control communication establishment process after the management communication establishment process is completed (step S117). The control communication establishment process is a process for establishing communication by all control protocols to be reset. When the control communication establishment process is completed, the management protocol priority determination process is completed.

Here, the management communication establishment process will be described in detail. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the management communication establishment process by the master station device 1 according to the present embodiment.

In the management communication establishment process, the processor 12a first determines the management protocol to be reset (step S171). Since the process of step S171 is the same as the process of step S151 described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the processor 12a sets the index (number) n indicating the management protocol to be processed to the initial value (1) (step S172).

The processor 12a reads the configuration definition information of the nth management protocol from the configuration definition file 100 (step S173). Further, the processor 12a executes the communication establishment process of the nth management protocol according to the read configuration definition information (step S174).

After the communication of the nth management protocol is established, the processor 12a determines whether or not n is N or more (step S175). If n is less than N (NO in step S175), processor 12a increments n by 1 (step S176) and returns processing to step S173. When n is N or more (YES in step S175), the management communication establishment process ends. This establishes all communication of the management protocol to be reconfigured.

Next, the control communication establishment process will be described in detail. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the control communication establishment process by the master station device 1 according to the present embodiment.

In the control communication establishment process, the processor 12a first determines the control protocol to be reset (step S181). Since the process of step S181 is the same as the process of step S161 described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the processor 12a sets the index (number) m indicating the control protocol to be processed to the initial value (1) (step S182).

The processor 12a reads the configuration definition information of the m-th control protocol from the configuration definition file 100 (step S183). Further, the processor 12a executes the communication establishment process of the m-th control protocol according to the read configuration definition information (step S184).

After the communication of the m-th control protocol is established, the processor 12a determines whether or not m is M or more (step S185). If m is less than M (NO in step S185), processor 12a increments m by 1 (step S186) and returns processing to step S183. When m is M or more (YES in step S185), the control communication establishment process ends. This establishes all communication of the control protocol to be reconfigured.

See FIG. 8 again. In step S114, when T_M + T_C is larger than the control timeout time TO_C (YES in step S114), at least one of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol (specifically, the control protocol) before the end of the control timeout time TO_C. It is presumed that communication) will not be established. That is, it is presumed that the control protocol session is disconnected when the management protocol communication establishment process is executed when the control program 12e is updated and then the control protocol communication establishment process is executed. In this case, the processor 12a determines whether or not the control communication establishment processing time T_C is larger than the control timeout time TO_C (step S118).

When the control communication establishment processing time T_C is larger than the control timeout time TO_C (YES in step S118), it is estimated that the control timeout time TO_C ends before the control protocol communication is established in response to the update of the control program 12e. .. That is, it is presumed that the control protocol session is disconnected when the control program 12e is updated. Therefore, the management protocol priority determination process ends without executing the non-instantaneous update process.

When the control communication establishment processing time T_C is equal to or less than the control timeout time TO_C (NO in step S118), the control protocol communication may be established according to the update of the control program 12e before the control timeout time TO_C ends. Presumed. That is, it is presumed that the control protocol session is not disconnected when the control program 12e is updated. In this case, the processor 12a determines whether or not the sum (T_M + T_C) of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication establishment processing time T_C is larger than the management timeout time TO_M (step S119). When T_M + T_C is equal to or less than the management timeout time TO_M (NO in step S119), it is estimated that communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established before the management timeout time TO_M ends. That is, if the communication establishment process of the control protocol is executed at the time of updating the control program 12e, and then the communication establishment process of the management protocol is executed, it is estimated that the sessions of the management protocol and the control protocol are not disconnected. .. In this case, the processor 12a executes the non-instantaneous update process (step S120) and executes the control communication establishment process (step S121). Further, the processor 12a executes the management communication establishment process after the control communication establishment process is completed (step S122). When the management communication establishment process is completed, the management protocol priority determination process is completed.

As described above, in step S112 in the management protocol priority determination process, when the management protocol is selected as the priority target, that is, when the management protocol is the selection protocol, the management timeout time TO_M, which is the selection timeout time, ends. Previously, it is a process for determining whether or not communication by a management protocol which is a selection protocol is established, and is a first determination process. Step S114 is a process for determining whether or not communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established before the control timeout time TO_C, which is the non-selection timeout time, is completed, and is a second determination process. Is. Step S118 is a process for determining whether or not communication by the control protocol which is the non-selection protocol is established before the control timeout time TO_C which is the non-selection timeout time ends, and is a third determination process. .. Step S119 is a process for determining whether or not each of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol is established before the management timeout time TO_M, which is the selection timeout time, is completed, and is the process for determining in the fourth determination process. is there.

Further, the management communication establishment process (steps S116 and S122) in the management protocol priority determination process is a process for establishing communication by the management protocol which is a selection protocol, and is a first communication establishment process. The control communication establishment process (steps S117 and S121) is a process for establishing communication by the control protocol which is a non-selection protocol, and is a second communication establishment process.

Next, the control protocol priority determination process will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the control protocol priority determination process by the master station apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

In the control protocol priority determination process, the processor 12a first executes the control communication establishment processing time calculation process (step S131). As a result, the control communication establishment processing time T_C is calculated.

The processor 12a determines whether or not the calculated control communication establishment processing time T_C is larger than the control timeout time TO_C (step S132). When the control communication establishment processing time T_C is larger than the control timeout time TO_C (YES in step S132), it is estimated that the control timeout time TO_C ends before the control protocol communication is established in response to the update of the control program 12e. .. That is, it is presumed that the control protocol session is disconnected when the control program 12e is updated. Therefore, the control protocol priority determination process ends without executing the non-instantaneous update process.

When the control communication establishment processing time T_C is equal to or less than the control timeout time TO_C (NO in step S132), the control protocol communication may be established according to the update of the control program 12e before the control timeout time TO_C ends. Presumed. That is, it is presumed that the control protocol session is not disconnected when the control program 12e is updated. In this case, the processor 12a executes the management communication establishment processing time calculation process (step S133). As a result, the management communication establishment processing time T_M is calculated.

The processor 12a determines whether or not the sum (T_M + T_C) of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication establishment processing time T_C is larger than the management timeout time TO_M (step S134). When T_M + T_C is equal to or less than the management timeout time TO_M (NO in step S134), it is presumed that communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established before the management timeout time TO_M ends. That is, if the communication establishment process of the control protocol is executed at the time of updating the control program 12e, and then the communication establishment process of the management protocol is executed, it is estimated that the sessions of the management protocol and the control protocol are not disconnected. .. In this case, the processor 12a executes the non-instantaneous update process (step S135) and executes the control communication establishment process (step S136). Further, the processor 12a executes the management communication establishment process after the control communication establishment process is completed (step S137). When the management communication establishment process is completed, the control protocol priority determination process is completed.

In step S134, when T_M + T_C is larger than the management timeout time TO_M (YES in step S134), at least one of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol (specifically, the management protocol) before the management timeout time TO_M ends. It is presumed that communication) will not be established. That is, it is presumed that the session of the management protocol is disconnected when the communication establishment process of the control protocol is executed at the time of updating the control program 12e and then the communication establishment process of the management protocol is executed. In this case, the processor 12a determines whether or not the management communication establishment processing time T_M is larger than the management timeout time TO_M (step S138).

When the management communication establishment processing time T_M is larger than the management timeout time TO_M (YES in step S138), it is estimated that the management timeout time TO_M ends before the management protocol communication is established in response to the update of the control program 12e. .. That is, it is presumed that the session of the management protocol is disconnected when the control program 12e is updated. Therefore, the control protocol priority determination process ends without executing the non-instantaneous update process.

When the management communication establishment processing time T_M is equal to or less than the management timeout time TO_M (NO in step S138), the management protocol communication may be established according to the update of the control program 12e before the management timeout time TO_M ends. Presumed. That is, it is estimated that the session of the management protocol is not disconnected when the control program 12e is updated. In this case, the processor 12a determines whether or not the sum (T_M + T_C) of the management communication establishment processing time T_M and the control communication establishment processing time T_C is larger than the control timeout time TO_C (step S139). When T_M + T_C is equal to or less than the control timeout time TO_C (NO in step S139), it is presumed that communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established before the control timeout time TO_C ends. That is, if the communication establishment process of the management protocol is executed at the time of updating the control program 12e and then the communication establishment process of the control protocol is executed, it is estimated that the sessions of the management protocol and the control protocol are not disconnected. .. In this case, the processor 12a executes the non-instantaneous update process (step S140) and executes the management communication establishment process (step S141). Further, the processor 12a executes the control communication establishment process after the management communication establishment process is completed (step S142). When the control communication establishment process is completed, the control protocol priority determination process is completed.

As described above, in step S132 in the control protocol priority determination process, when the control protocol is selected as the priority target, that is, when the control protocol is the selection protocol, the control timeout time TO_C, which is the selection timeout time, ends. Previously, it is a process for determining whether or not communication by a control protocol which is a selection protocol is established, and is a first determination process. Step S134 is a process for determining whether or not communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established before the management timeout time TO_M, which is the non-selection timeout time, ends, and is a second determination process. Is. Step S138 is a process for determining whether or not communication by the management protocol which is the non-selection protocol is established before the management timeout time TO_M which is the non-selection timeout time ends, and is a third determination process. .. Step S139 is a process for determining whether or not each of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol is established before the control timeout time TO_C, which is the selection timeout time, is completed, and is the process for determining in the fourth determination process. is there.

Further, the control communication establishment process (steps S136 and S142) in the control protocol priority determination process is a process for establishing communication by the control protocol which is a selection protocol, and is a first communication establishment process. The management communication establishment process (steps S137 and S141) is a process for establishing communication by the management protocol which is a non-selection protocol, and is a second communication establishment process.

[4. Modification example]
In the above embodiment, the plurality of communication protocols are classified into two groups, a management protocol and a control protocol, one group is determined to be the group that executes the communication establishment process in advance, and the other group is succeeded. The group to execute the communication establishment process was determined, and when the communication establishment process of each group was executed, it was determined whether or not the communication was established before the timeout time expired. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. The master station apparatus 1 according to this modification determines the order in which the communication establishment processes of a plurality of communication protocols are executed, and when the communication establishment processes are sequentially executed in the determined order, before the timeout time ends. Determines whether communication is established in.

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the function of the control unit 12 of the master station device 1 according to this modification. The control unit 12 has functions as an input unit 121, a time calculation unit 122, a determination unit 124, a program update unit 125, a communication establishment unit 126, and an order determination unit 127.

The time calculation unit 122 according to this modification calculates the communication establishment processing time for each communication protocol. In a specific example, the time calculation unit 122 has a first communication establishment processing time for establishing communication by the first communication protocol and a first communication establishment processing time for establishing communication by a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. 2 Calculate each of the communication establishment processing time. For example, when each communication protocol of SSH, SNMP, syslog, LACP, Link-OAM, and Ether-OAM is used by the master station device 1, the time calculation unit determines the communication establishment processing time of SSH and the communication establishment of SNMP. The processing time, the communication establishment processing time of syslog, the communication establishment processing time of SNMP, the communication establishment processing time of Link-OAM, and the communication establishment processing time of Ether-OAM are calculated, respectively.

The order determination unit 127 determines the order of the communication protocols for executing the communication establishment process. In a specific example, the order determination unit 127 determines the order of communication establishment processing among SSH, SNMP, syslog, LACP, Link-OAM, and Ether-OAM.

The determination unit 124 according to this modification determines whether or not communication is established before the timeout time ends for each communication protocol. In a specific example, the determination unit 124 executes the first determination process and the second determination process. The first determination process is based on the first communication establishment processing time calculated by the time calculation unit 122 and the first timeout time determined by the first protocol, and before the end of the first timeout time, the control program 12e This is a process for determining whether or not communication by the first protocol is established in response to the update of. The second determination process is based on the sum of the first communication establishment processing time and the second communication establishment processing time calculated by the time calculation unit 122 and the second timeout time determined by the second protocol, and the second timeout time. Is a process for determining whether or not each of the communication according to the first protocol and the communication according to the second protocol is established according to the update of the control program 12e before the end of.

In a specific example, the determination unit 124 determines whether or not communication is established before the timeout time expires when the communication establishment processing by each communication protocol is executed in the order determined by the order determination unit 127. To do.

15A and 15B are diagrams for explaining an example of determination processing by the determination unit 124 of the master station apparatus 1 according to this modification. 15A and 15B show an example in which the communication protocols used by the master station device 1 are LACP, SNMP, and SSH. In FIG. 15A, the order determination unit 127 determines the execution order of the communication establishment process. SSH, 2. LACP, 3. An example in which SNMP is determined is shown, and in FIG. 15B, the order determination unit 127 sets the execution order of the communication establishment process to 1. LACP, 2. SNMP, 3. An example determined to SSH is shown.

In the example shown in FIG. 15A, the determination unit 124 first determines whether or not communication is established for the SSH whose order of executing the communication establishment process is the first before the timeout time expires. In FIG. 15A, the uppermost graph shows the communication establishment processing time of SSH, and the second graph from the top shows the timeout time of SSH. Similarly, in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the upper side of the two graphs adjacent to each other above and below shows the communication establishment processing time, and the lower side shows the timeout time. In the example of FIG. 15A, the SSH communication establishment processing time is shorter than the SSH timeout time. Since the count of the SSH timeout time is started at the start time t0 of the SSH communication establishment process, the communication by the SSH is established before the SSH timeout time ends.

Next, the determination unit 124 determines whether or not each of the communication by SSH and the communication by LACP is established before the timeout time of LACP whose order of executing the communication establishment process is No. 2 ends. In the example of FIG. 15A, the sum of the communication establishment processing time of SSH and the communication establishment processing time of LACP is shorter than the timeout time of LACP. At the start time t0 of the communication establishment process of SSH, the count of the LACP timeout time is started. Further, immediately after the SSH communication establishment process is completed, the LACP communication establishment process is started. Therefore, each of the communication by SSH and the communication by LACP is established before the timeout time of LACP ends.

Next, the determination unit 124 determines whether or not each of the communication by SSH, the communication by LACP, and the communication by SNMP is established before the timeout time of the SNMP whose order of executing the communication establishment process is No. 3 ends. judge. In the example of FIG. 15A, the sum of the communication establishment processing time of SSH, the communication establishment processing time of LACP, and the communication establishment processing time of SNMP is shorter than the timeout time of SNMP. At the start time t0 of the communication establishment process of SSH, the counting of the SNMP timeout time is started. Further, the LACP communication establishment process is started immediately after the SSH communication establishment process is completed, and the SNMP communication establishment process is started immediately after the LACP communication establishment process is completed. Therefore, each of the communication by SSH, the communication by LACP, and the communication by SNMP is established before the timeout time of SNMP ends.

Next, an example shown in FIG. 15B will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 15B, the determination unit 124 first determines whether or not communication is established for the LACP whose order of executing the communication establishment process is first, before the timeout time expires. In the example of FIG. 15A, the LACP communication establishment processing time is shorter than the LACP timeout time. At the start time t0 of the LACP communication establishment process, the LACP timeout time count is started. Therefore, the communication by LACP is established before the timeout time of LACP ends.

Next, the determination unit 124 determines whether or not each of the communication by the LACP and the communication by the SNMP is established before the timeout time of the SNMP whose turn is the second to execute the communication establishment process ends. In the example of FIG. 15B, the sum of the communication establishment processing time of LACP and the communication establishment processing time of SNMP is shorter than the timeout time of SNMP. At the start time t0 of the LACP communication establishment process, the counting of the SNMP timeout time is started. Further, immediately after the LACP communication establishment process is completed, the SNMP communication establishment process is started. Therefore, each of the communication by LACP and the communication by SNMP is established before the timeout time of SNMP ends.

Next, the determination unit 124 determines whether or not each of the LACP communication, the SNMP communication, and the SSH communication is established before the timeout time of the SSH whose turn is the third to execute the communication establishment process ends. judge. In the example of FIG. 15B, the sum of the LACP communication establishment processing time, the SNMP communication establishment processing time, and the SSH communication establishment processing time is longer than the SSH timeout time. At the start time t0 of the LACP communication establishment process, the SSH timeout time count is started. Further, the SNMP communication establishment process is started immediately after the LACP communication establishment process is completed, and the SSH communication establishment process is started immediately after the SNMP communication establishment process is completed. Therefore, the communication by the communication by SSH is not established before the timeout time of SSH ends.

See FIG. 14 again. The program update unit 125 executes the non-instantaneous update process of the control program 12e when it is determined by the determination unit 124 that communication by the communication protocol is established before the timeout time ends. In a specific example, the program update unit 125 may have a plurality of communication establishment processes in the order determined by the order determination unit 127 before the timeout time corresponding to the last communication protocol ends. When it is determined that each of the communications by the communication protocol is established, the non-instantaneous update process of the control program 12e is executed. The program update unit 125 determines by the determination unit 124 that communication by the communication protocol whose order of communication establishment processing is last is not established before the timeout time corresponding to the communication protocol whose order of communication establishment processing is last expires. If so, the non-interrupted update process is not executed.

The communication establishment unit 126 executes a communication establishment process for establishing communication by a communication protocol between the master station device 1 and the opposite device. In a specific example, the communication establishment unit 126 may have a plurality of communication establishment processes in the order determined by the order determination unit 127 before the timeout time corresponding to the last communication protocol ends. When it is determined that each of the communications by the communication protocol is established, the sequential communication establishment process for establishing the communication by the plurality of communication protocols in the order determined by the order determination unit 127 is executed. The communication establishment unit 126 determines by the determination unit 124 that communication by the communication protocol whose order of communication establishment processing is last is not established before the timeout time corresponding to the communication protocol whose order of communication establishment processing is last ends. If so, the sequential communication establishment process is not executed.

In the example shown in FIG. 15A, the determination unit 124 performs SSH, LACP, and SNMP in the order determined by the order determination unit 127 before the timeout time of the SNMP, which is the last communication protocol, is used for the communication establishment process. It is determined that each communication by each communication protocol of is established. Therefore, in this case, the program update unit 125 executes the non-instantaneous update process. Further, in this case, the communication establishment unit 126 executes the sequential communication establishment process.

In the example shown in FIG. 15B, the determination unit 124 determines that the communication by SSH is not established before the timeout time of SSH, which is the last communication protocol in the order of communication establishment processing, ends. Therefore, in this case, the program update unit 125 does not execute the non-instantaneous update process. Further, in this case, the communication establishment unit 126 does not execute the sequential communication establishment process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for communication establishment determination processing by the master station device 1 according to this modification.

In the communication establishment determination process, the processor 12a determines whether or not to update the program without interruption (step S201).

When the non-interrupted program update is not performed (NO in step S201), the processor 12a normally executes the program update (step S202). That is, the processor 12a rewrites the control program 12e stored in the non-transient memory 12b and restarts the master station device 1. At the time of restart, the communication establishment determination process ends.

When updating the program without interruption (YES in step S201), the processor 12a, for example, from the configuration definition file 100 of the non-transient memory 12b, each communication protocol (SSH, SNMP, syslog, LACP, Link-OAM, Ether -OAM) is read out (step S203). Further, the processor 12a refers to, for example, the configuration definition file 100 and determines the number K of communication protocols to be reset.

Next, the processor 12a calculates the communication establishment processing time for each communication protocol (step S204). The method for calculating the communication establishment processing time is the same as the communication establishment processing time calculation processing in the above embodiment.

Further, the processor 12a determines the order of the communication protocols for executing the communication establishment process (step S205). In this process, the processor 12a may randomly determine the order of the communication protocols, or may determine the order of the communication protocols according to a predetermined rule.

Next, the processor 12a sets the index (number) k indicating the communication protocol to be processed to the initial value (1) (step S206). Further, the processor 12a sets the target communication establishment processing time (referred to as “communication establishment processing integration time”) T to be compared with the timeout time to the initial value (0) (step S207).

The processor 12a sets the result of adding the communication establishment processing time T_k in the k-th communication protocol to the communication establishment processing total time T as the new communication establishment processing time T (step S208).

The processor 12a determines whether or not the communication establishment processing total time T is larger than the timeout time TO_k of the kth communication protocol (step S209). When the communication establishment processing total time T is equal to or less than the timeout time TO_k (NO in step S209), communication by the communication protocols 1 to k is performed according to the update of the control program 12e before the timeout time TO_k ends. It is estimated that all will be established. That is, it is estimated that the sessions of the communication protocols 1 to k are not disconnected when the control program 12e is updated. In this case, the processor 12a determines whether or not k is equal to or greater than the number K of the communication protocols to be reset (step S212). If k is less than K (NO in step S212), processor 12a increments k by 1 (step S213) and returns processing to step S208.

In step S209, when the communication establishment processing summarizing time T is larger than the timeout time TO_k (YES in step S209), the timeout time TO_k is set before the communication of the kth communication protocol is established in response to the update of the control program 12e. Estimated to end. That is, it is presumed that the session of the kth communication protocol is disconnected when the control program 12e is updated. In this case, the processor 12a determines whether or not a combination of undetermined communication protocol orders remains (step S210). If there is no undetermined combination of communication protocol orders left (NO in step S210), no matter what order the communication establishment processing by the communication protocol is executed, before the timeout time ends, a plurality of communication protocols It is presumed that communication by either is not established. That is, it is presumed that the communication protocol session is disconnected when the control program 12e is updated. Therefore, the communication establishment determination process ends without executing the non-instantaneous update process.

If an undetermined combination of communication protocol orders remains (YES in step S210), the processor 12a determines a new order of communication protocols (step S211). In step S211 a new order of communication protocols is determined from a combination of communication protocol orders that has never been determined. When a new order of communication protocols is determined, the processor 12a shifts the process to step S206. Thereby, based on the newly determined order of the communication protocols, it is determined whether or not the communication by the communication protocol is established before the timeout time ends.

In step S212, when k is K or more (YES in step S212), it is estimated that communication by all communication protocols is established according to the update of the control program 12e before the timeout time ends. That is, it is estimated that the sessions are not disconnected in all of the K communication protocols when the control program 12e is updated. Therefore, in this case, the processor 12a executes the non-instantaneous update process of the control program 12e (step S214). Further, the processor 12a executes the communication establishment process (sequential communication establishment process) of each communication protocol in the determined order (step S215). This completes the communication establishment determination process.

[5. Other variants]
The slave station device 2 may execute the same communication establishment determination process. In the slave station device 2, the control protocols Link-OAM and Ether-OAM are used, but LACP, SSH, telnet, SNMP, and syslog are not used. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the Link-OAM communication and the Ether-OAM communication are established before the timeout period of either one or both of the Link-OAM and the Ether-OAM ends.

Further, the time required for the non-instantaneous update processing of the control program 12e may be added to the communication establishment processing time of each communication protocol. That is, the result of adding the time required for the non-instantaneous update process to the total communication establishment processing time of one or more management protocols may be calculated as the management communication establishment processing time, or one or more control protocols. The result of adding the time required for the non-interrupted update process to the total communication establishment processing time may be calculated as the control communication establishment processing time. Further, the result of adding the time required for the non-instantaneous update processing to the total communication establishment processing time of one or more communication protocols may be calculated as the communication establishment processing totaling time.

[6. effect]
As described above, the master station device 1 (first communication device 1) is a communication device capable of communicating with the opposite device by the communication protocol, and is a time calculation unit 122, a determination unit 124, and a program update unit. 125 and. The time calculation unit 122 calculates the communication establishment processing time for establishing the communication by the communication protocol between the master station device 1 and the opposite device. The determination unit 124 updates the control program 12e of the master station device 1 before the timeout time expires based on the communication establishment processing time calculated by the time calculation unit 122 and the timeout time determined by the communication protocol. Correspondingly, it is determined whether or not communication by the communication protocol between the master station device 1 and the opposite device is established. When the determination unit 124 determines that the communication by the communication protocol is established before the timeout time ends, the program update unit 125 updates the control program 12e without restarting the master station device 1. Executes the momentary update process. As a result, the control program 12e is updated before the timeout time ends, and communication with the opposite device by the communication protocol is established. Moreover, no dedicated circuitry is needed to maintain the session. Therefore, it is possible to avoid disconnection of the session due to the update of the control program 12e while suppressing the cost of the master station device 1.

The time calculation unit 122 may calculate the management communication establishment processing time for establishing the communication by the management protocol which is the communication protocol used for the maintenance and management of the master station apparatus 1. The time calculation unit 122 may calculate the control communication establishment processing time for establishing the communication by the control protocol, which is the communication protocol for controlling the communication by the master station apparatus 1. Based on the management communication establishment processing time calculated by the time calculation unit 122, the control communication establishment processing time, and the timeout time, the determination unit 124 responds to the update of the control program before the timeout time ends. It may be determined whether or not each of the communication by the control protocol and the communication by the control protocol is established. This makes it possible to avoid disconnection of the session by the management protocol and the control protocol.

The timeout time may be either one of the management timeout time TO_M defined by the management protocol and the control timeout time TO_C defined by the control protocol. As a result, at least communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established before either the management tom-out time TO_M corresponding to the management protocol or the control timeout time TO_C corresponding to the control protocol ends. It is possible to avoid disconnection of the session by either the management protocol or the control protocol.

When a plurality of management protocols are used by the master station apparatus 1, the management timeout time TO_M may be the minimum timeout time among the timeout times defined by each of the plurality of management protocols. When a plurality of control protocols are used by the master station apparatus 1, the control timeout time TO_C may be the minimum timeout time among the timeout times defined by each of the plurality of control protocols. As a result, communication and control by the plurality of management protocols are performed before either the minimum timeout time defined by each of the plurality of management protocols or the minimum timeout time defined by each of the plurality of control programs ends. Since each of the communication by the protocol is established, it is possible to avoid disconnection of the session by each of the plurality of management protocols or the session by each of the plurality of control protocols.

The master station device 1 may further include a selection unit 123 that selects either a management protocol or a control protocol. The determination unit 124 may execute the first determination process and the second determination process. The first determination process includes the communication establishment processing time corresponding to the selection protocol, which is the communication protocol selected by the selection unit 123, and the selection timeout, which is one of the management timeout time TO_M and the control timeout time TO_C, which corresponds to the selection protocol. Based on the time, it is a process of determining whether or not communication by the selection protocol is established before the selection timeout time ends. The second determination process is based on the sum of the management communication establishment processing time and the control communication establishment processing and the non-selection timeout time, which is the other of the management timeout time TO_M and the control timeout time TO_C, and the non-selection timeout time. Before the end, it is a process of determining whether or not communication by the management protocol and communication by the control protocol are established according to the update of the control program. As a result, the first determination process can prevent the session from being disconnected by the selection protocol, and the second determination process can prevent the session from being disconnected by at least one of the management protocol and the control protocol.

In the first determination process, the determination unit 124 may execute the second determination process when it is determined that the communication by the selection protocol is established before the selection timeout time ends. In the second determination process, the program update unit 125 performs the non-interruptive update process when it is determined that the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol are established before the non-selection timeout time ends. You may do it. In the first determination process, the program update unit 125 does not have to execute the non-instantaneous update process when it is determined that the communication by the selection protocol is not established before the selection timeout time ends. As a result, when it is determined that the communication by the selection protocol is established before the selection timeout time ends, and the communication by the management protocol and the control protocol is established before the non-selection timeout time ends. In addition, the non-instantaneous update process is executed. That is, when it is determined that each session according to the management protocol and the control protocol is not disconnected, the non-instantaneous update process can be executed. Further, if communication by the selection protocol is not established before the selection timeout time ends, the non-interrupted update process is not executed. That is, when it is determined that the session by the selected protocol is disconnected, the session cannot be disconnected by the selected protocol without executing the non-interrupted update process.

The master station device 1 may further include a communication establishment unit 126. The communication establishment unit 126 executes a communication establishment process for establishing communication by a communication protocol between the master station device 1 and the opposite device. In the second determination process, the communication establishment unit 126 determines that the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol are established before the non-selection timeout time ends, the first communication by the selection protocol. After the establishment process is executed and the first communication establishment process is completed, the second communication establishment process by the non-selection protocol, which is a communication protocol not selected by the selection unit 123 among the management protocol and the control protocol, may be executed. As a result, when it is determined that the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol are established before the non-selection timeout time ends in the second determination process, the first communication management process related to the selection protocol, And the second communication management process related to the non-selection protocol is executed in order. Therefore, it is possible to avoid disconnection of each session by the selected protocol and the non-selected protocol.

The determination unit 124 executes the third determination process when it is determined in the second determination process that at least one of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol is not established before the non-selection timeout time ends. You may. The third determination process is based on the communication establishment processing time corresponding to the non-selection protocol and the non-selection timeout time, and the communication by the non-selection protocol is performed according to the update of the control program before the non-selection timeout time ends. Is a process for determining whether or not is established. In the third determination process, the determination unit 124 may execute the fourth determination process when it is determined that the communication by the non-selection protocol is established before the non-selection timeout time ends. The fourth determination process is based on the sum of the management communication establishment processing time and the control communication establishment processing and the selection timeout time, and before the selection timeout time ends, communication by the management protocol and communication according to the update of the control program and This is a process for determining whether or not each communication by the control protocol is established. As a result, when it is determined that at least one of the communication by the management protocol and the control protocol is not established before the non-selection timeout time ends in the second determination process, the first and second determination processes are the management protocol and The third and fourth determination processes in which the order of the communication establishment processes of the control protocol is changed are executed. Therefore, when it is determined that the session is disconnected in the second determination process, it can be determined whether or not the session is maintained by changing the order of the communication establishment processes of the management protocol and the control protocol.

In the fourth determination process, the program update unit 125 performs a non-instantaneous update process when it is determined that the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol are established before the selection timeout time ends. You may do it. The program update unit 125 does not have to execute the non-intermittent update process when it is determined in the third determination process that communication by the non-selection protocol is not established before the non-selection timeout time ends. As a result, it is determined that the communication by the non-selection protocol is established before the non-selection timeout time ends, and the communication by the management protocol and the control protocol is established before the selection timeout time ends. In that case, the non-instantaneous update process is executed. That is, when it is determined that each session according to the management protocol and the control protocol is not disconnected, the non-instantaneous update process can be executed. Further, if communication by the non-selection protocol is not established before the non-selection timeout time ends, the non-intermittent update process is not executed. That is, when it is determined that the session by the non-selection protocol is disconnected, the non-intermittent update process is not executed, and the disconnection of the session by the non-selection protocol can be avoided.

The communication establishment unit 126 executes the second communication establishment process when it is determined in the fourth determination process that each of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol is established before the selection timeout time ends. Then, after the second communication establishment process is completed, the first communication establishment process may be executed. As a result, when it is determined that the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol are established before the selection timeout time ends in the fourth determination process, the second communication management process related to the non-selection protocol, And the first communication management process related to the selected protocol is executed in order. Therefore, it is possible to avoid disconnection of each session by the non-selection protocol and the selection protocol.

The time calculation unit 122 sets the first communication establishment processing time for establishing the communication by the first communication protocol and the second communication establishment processing time for establishing the communication by the second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. Each of may be calculated. The determination unit 124 may execute the first determination process and the second determination process. The first determination process is based on the first communication establishment processing time calculated by the time calculation unit 122 and the first timeout time determined by the first protocol, and is performed by the control program before the end of the first timeout time. This is a process of determining whether or not communication by the first protocol is established according to the update. The second determination process is based on the sum of the first communication establishment processing time and the second communication establishment processing time calculated by the time calculation unit 122 and the second timeout time determined by the second protocol, and the second timeout time. Is a process of determining whether or not communication by the first protocol and communication by the second protocol are established according to the update of the control program before the end of. As a result, it is possible to avoid disconnection of the session by the first protocol and the second protocol.

[7. Supplement]
The embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of rights of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims rather than the above-described embodiment, and includes meaning equivalent to the scope of claims and all modifications within the scope thereof.

1 First communication device (master station device)
2 Second communication device (slave station device)
3 Communication line (optical fiber)
5 Upper network 6 Lower network 7 Maintenance device 8 Management device 9 Communication line 10 Communication system 11 Upper interface unit 12 Control unit 13 Reception processing unit 14 Transmission processing unit 15 Opposite side interface unit 16 Buffer 17 Buffer 18 Communication processing unit 19 Communication interface Part 12a Processor 12b Non-transient memory 12c Transient memory 12d Input / output interface 12e Control program 100 Configuration definition file 121 Input part 122 Time calculation part 123 Selection part 124 Judgment part 125 Program update part 126 Communication establishment part 127 Order determination part

Claims (13)

A communication device that can communicate with the other device using a communication protocol.
A time calculation unit that calculates a communication establishment processing time for establishing communication by the communication protocol between the communication device and the opposite device, and a time calculation unit.
Based on the communication establishment processing time calculated by the time calculation unit and the timeout time determined by the communication protocol, the communication is performed according to the update of the control program of the communication device before the timeout time ends. A determination unit for determining whether or not communication by the communication protocol between the device and the opposite device is established, and a determination unit.
When it is determined by the determination unit that communication by the communication protocol is established before the timeout time ends, a non-instantaneous update process for updating the control program without restarting the communication device is performed. Program update part to be executed and
To prepare
Communication device. The time calculation unit calculates a management communication establishment processing time for establishing communication by the management protocol, which is the communication protocol used for maintenance and management of the communication device.
The time calculation unit calculates the control communication establishment processing time for establishing the communication by the control protocol, which is the communication protocol for controlling the communication by the communication device.
Based on the management communication establishment processing time calculated by the time calculation unit, the control communication establishment processing time, and the timeout time, the determination unit updates the control program before the timeout time ends. It is determined whether or not each of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol is established according to the above.
The communication device according to claim 1. The timeout time is either a first timeout time defined by the management protocol or a second timeout time defined by the control protocol.
The communication device according to claim 2. When a plurality of the management protocols are used by the communication device, the first timeout time is the minimum timeout time among the timeout times defined by each of the plurality of management protocols.
When a plurality of the control protocols are used by the communication device, the second timeout time is the minimum timeout time among the timeout times defined by each of the plurality of control protocols.
The communication device according to claim 3. A selection unit for selecting either the management protocol or the control protocol is further provided.
The determination unit
Based on the communication establishment processing time corresponding to the selection protocol, which is the communication protocol selected by the selection unit, and the selection timeout time corresponding to the selection protocol among the first and second timeout times. The first determination process for determining whether or not communication by the selection protocol is established before the selection timeout time ends.
Before the end of the non-selection timeout time, based on the sum of the management communication establishment processing time and the control communication establishment processing and the non-selection timeout time which is the other of the first and second timeout times. A second determination process for determining whether or not communication according to the management protocol and communication according to the control protocol are established in response to the update of the control program.
To execute,
The communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. In the first determination process, the determination unit executes the second determination process when it is determined that communication by the selection protocol is established before the selection timeout time ends.
When it is determined in the second determination process that communication according to the management protocol and communication according to the control protocol are established before the non-selection timeout time ends, the program update unit does not. Executes the momentary update process and
The program update unit does not execute the non-instantaneous update process when it is determined in the first determination process that communication by the selection protocol is not established before the selection timeout time ends.
The communication device according to claim 5. A communication establishment unit for executing a communication establishment process for establishing communication by the communication protocol between the communication device and the opposite device is further provided.
When it is determined in the second determination process that communication according to the management protocol and communication according to the control protocol are established before the non-selection timeout time ends, the communication establishment unit selects the communication. After the first communication establishment process by the protocol is executed and the first communication establishment process is completed, the second communication establishment by the non-selection protocol which is the communication protocol which is not selected by the selection unit among the management protocol and the control protocol. Execute the process,
The communication device according to claim 6. When it is determined in the second determination process that at least one of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol is not established before the non-selection timeout time ends, the determination unit performs the non-selection. Based on the communication establishment processing time corresponding to the protocol and the non-selection timeout time, communication by the non-selection protocol is established according to the update of the control program before the non-selection timeout time ends. Execute the third judgment process to determine whether or not,
When it is determined in the third determination process that communication by the non-selection protocol is established before the non-selection timeout time ends, the determination unit determines the management communication establishment processing time and the control communication. Based on the sum at the time of the establishment process and the selection timeout time, each of the communication by the management protocol and the communication by the control protocol is established according to the update of the control program before the selection timeout time ends. Executes the fourth determination process for determining whether or not the protocol
The communication device according to claim 7. When it is determined in the fourth determination process that communication according to the management protocol and communication according to the control protocol are established before the end of the selection timeout time, the program update unit performs the momentless operation. Execute the disconnect update process and
The program update unit does not execute the non-intermittent update process when it is determined in the third determination process that communication by the non-selection protocol is not established before the non-selection timeout time ends.
The communication device according to claim 8. When the communication establishment unit determines in the fourth determination process that communication according to the management protocol and communication according to the control protocol are established before the end of the selection timeout time, the second determination unit. The communication establishment process is executed, and after the second communication establishment process is completed, the first communication establishment process is executed.
The communication device according to claim 9. The time calculation unit has a first communication establishment processing time for establishing communication by the first communication protocol and a second communication establishment processing time for establishing communication by a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. Calculate each of
The determination unit
Based on the first communication establishment processing time calculated by the time calculation unit and the first timeout time defined by the first protocol, the control program is updated before the first timeout time ends. The first determination process for determining whether or not communication by the first protocol is established accordingly, and
The second timeout time ends based on the sum of the first communication establishment processing time and the second communication establishment processing time calculated by the time calculation unit and the second timeout time defined by the second protocol. The second determination process for determining whether or not the communication according to the first protocol and the communication according to the second protocol are established according to the update of the control program, and the second determination process.
To execute,
The communication device according to claim 1. A communication method in which a communication device communicates with an opposite device using a communication protocol.
A step of calculating a communication establishment processing time for establishing communication by the communication protocol between the communication device and the opposite device, and
Based on the calculated communication establishment processing time and the timeout time determined by the communication protocol, the communication device and the opposite device are updated according to the update of the control program of the communication device before the timeout time ends. A step of determining whether or not communication by the communication protocol with the user is established, and
When it is determined that the communication by the communication protocol is established before the time-out time ends, the step of executing the non-instantaneous update process for updating the control program without restarting the communication device. ,
including,
Communication method. A computer program for making a computer function as a communication device that communicates with an opposite device by a communication protocol.
On the computer
A step of calculating a communication establishment processing time for establishing communication by the communication protocol between the communication device and the opposite device, and
Based on the calculated communication establishment processing time and the timeout time determined by the communication protocol, the communication device and the opposite device are updated according to the update of the control program of the communication device before the timeout time ends. A step of determining whether or not communication by the communication protocol with the user is established, and
When it is determined that the communication by the communication protocol is established before the timeout time ends, the step of executing the non-instantaneous update process for updating the control program without restarting the computer, and
To execute,
Computer program.

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