JPH11150539A - Asynchronous transfer mode exchange - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To monitor protocol data on a designated channel without affecting channels, which have been already set. SOLUTION: A console 17 is used to enter a terminal port PT1 that contains an ATM terminal 11 as a monitor object and a monitor command to designate a set channel number. A monitor control section 18 identifies the monitor command and outputs a monitor connection command to a connection control section 19. The connection control section 19 references various control tables in a control memory 20 and changes setting of a path of a channels set to the ATM terminal 11 to ATM connection for monitor via a monitor port PM. Thus, protocol data are monitored by using a protocol monitor 2 connected to the monitor port PM.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an asynchronous transfer mode (hereinafter referred to as "ATM") switch, and more particularly to an ATM switch having a port for monitoring protocol data on a designated channel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a protocol monitor as a monitoring device for monitoring the state of communication between an ATM exchange and an ATM terminal or between ATM terminals. The protocol monitor is a device that is inserted and connected between, for example, an ATM terminal and a communication line, and collects and displays information on ATM cells flowing on the communication line. And, using such a protocol monitor, while collecting information on the communication line,
By reproducing and analyzing the collected information, status monitoring and fault diagnosis of communication lines and ATM terminals are performed.

[0003]

However, the conventional monitoring method based on the connection of the protocol monitor has the following problems. In ATM communication, a plurality of channels called connections specified by a virtual path identifier (hereinafter, referred to as “VPI”) and a virtual channel identifier (hereinafter, referred to as “VCI”) are set on one communication line. ATM to connect protocol monitor
If the terminal is temporarily disconnected from the communication line, communication of the preset channel is interrupted during the disconnection and connection, and the terminal may be disconnected in some cases.
Further, in order to monitor the communication between the first and second ATM terminals, the communication between the first ATM terminal and the ATM exchange and the second
It is necessary to connect a protocol monitor to two points between the ATM terminal and the ATM exchange. Furthermore, in order to analyze while comparing the information collected by the two protocol monitors,
The task was complicated. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the problems of the prior art, and has an ATM having a monitor monitoring port capable of monitoring protocol data on a designated channel without affecting a preset channel.
An exchange is provided.

[0004]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ATM cell comprising a plurality of communication line ports and comprising a header for identifying a destination channel and data divided into a predetermined length. From the communication line port,
In the ATM switch for selecting the communication line port corresponding to the destination channel based on the information of the header of the ATM cell and outputting the ATM cell to the selected communication line port, the following monitoring port: An input unit and a connection control unit are provided. The monitoring port is used to connect a monitoring device that monitors the ATM cell to a specified communication line port and a destination channel among the ATM cells input from the communication line port or output to the communication line port. belongs to. The input unit is for inputting a monitoring command for specifying the communication line port to be monitored and the destination channel. In addition, the connection control unit, based on the monitoring command, receives the ATM cell corresponding to the monitoring target destination channel among the ATM cells input from the monitoring target communication line port or output to the communication line port. To the monitoring port and the ATM input from the monitoring port.
The connection is controlled so that the cell is output to the communication line port corresponding to the destination channel.

[0005] According to the present invention, since the ATM exchange is configured as described above, the following operations are performed. When the communication line port to be monitored and the destination channel are specified from the input unit, the connection control unit controls the ATM cell input from the communication line port or the ATM cell output from the communication line port. Thus, the ATM cell for the destination channel is output to the monitoring port.
On the other hand, the ATM cell input from the monitoring port is output to the communication line port corresponding to the destination channel under the control of the connection control unit. Therefore, by connecting a monitoring device such as a protocol monitor to the monitoring port, it is possible to monitor ATM cells for a specified destination channel on a specified communication line port.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ATM exchange showing an embodiment of the present invention. The ATM exchange 10, respectively ATM terminal _{1 1,} 1 2, ..., a communication line port for connecting a _{1 n} (e.g., terminal port) P
T1, PT2, ..., a plurality of ATM controller ₁₁ 1 having a _PTn, 11 _{2, ...,} and a 11 _n. Each ATM control unit 11 _i (where i = 1 to n) controls an ATM layer that performs multiplexing and demultiplexing of ATM cells, which are units of communication, and processing of virtual paths and virtual channels, in a protocol layer of the ATM communication. Is what you do. Specifically, the ATM control unit 11 _i are respectively the header converter (hereinafter, referred to as "HCV") has a conversion table called 11a, has a function for converting a header of the ATM cell in accordance with this HCV11a Things. The ATM switch 10 includes an ATM control unit 12 having a monitoring port (for example, a monitoring port) PM for connecting a monitoring device such as the protocol monitor 2.
ATM control unit 12 has a HVC12a like the ATM control unit ₁₁ 1 to 11 _n, and performs control of the ATM layer. ATM control unit ₁₁ 1 to 11 _n, and the ATM control unit 12 is connected to the ATM switch 13. A
The TM switch 13 is a switch for exchanging these ATM cells between ports based on information in the header of the ATM cells.

Further, an ATM control unit 14 is connected to the ATM switch 13. The ATM control unit 14 transmits an ATM cell to the ATM switch 1 for signal control of each port.
It has an internal port PI that takes in 0. A signal controller 16 is connected to the internal port PI of the ATM controller 14 via a cell disassembly / assembly controller 15.
The cell disassembly / assembly control unit 15 controls each of the ATM terminals ₁₁ to
1 _n , assembles a connection control signal decomposed into the form of an ATM cell and transmitted and received into one control data, outputs the control data to the signal control unit 16, and transmits the control data given from the signal control unit 16 to a plurality of control data. Disassembled into ATM cells and each A
It is intended to be transmitted to the TM terminal ₁ 1 to 1 _n. Further, the signal control unit 16 performs switching type selective connection (SVC: Switched V).
It has a signal control function for performing an irtual channel). The ATM switch 10 has an input unit (for example, a console) 17 for inputting various monitoring commands such as a monitor control command in order to perform monitoring using the protocol monitor 2. It is connected to the unit 18. The monitoring control unit 18 issues various connection control instructions to the connection control unit 19 based on a monitoring command input from the console 17. Further, the connection control unit 19 performs the ATM control based on the connection control instruction.
It establishes and releases a connection. A control memory 20 is connected to the monitoring control unit 18 and the connection control unit 19, and connection control is performed based on the contents of various control tables stored in the control memory 20. . The connection control unit 19, the ATM control unit ₁₁ 1 _{to 11} n via a common bus 21, 12, 14 are connected, these ATM control unit ₁₁ 1 _{to 11} n via the common bus 21, 12, 14 HCV 11a, 1 inside
2a and 14a are rewritten according to the connection control contents.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the HCV 11a in FIG. HCV11a is a table for header conversion of an ATM cell provided for each of the ATM control unit 11 _i, is constituted by a storage device such as a random access memory.
As shown in FIG. 2, the VPI / VCI
The other port number, the other party's VPI, the other party's VCI, and other information are stored in an address having an index of. Partner VPI, partner VCI, and other information, VPI / VCI of the header portion of a given ATM cell from the terminal port PTi side ATM terminal _{1 i} is connected
Is information that replaces the information. Also, the partner port number is
This information is added to the head of the ATM cell to specify the number of the terminal port PTj (where j = 1 to n) of the other party to which the ATM cell is to be sent out via the ATM switch 13. In the ATM control unit _11i , the terminal port P
An ATM cell of 53 octets composed of a header of 5 octets and a payload of 48 octets (user information) input from the Ti side has VPI / VCI of H in the header.
It is replaced with the partner VPI / VCI in the CV 11a, and a one-octet partner port number is added at the beginning. Then, it is given to the ATM switch 13 as an internal ATM cell of 54 octets. On the other hand, the internal A output from the ATM switch 13 to the ATM control unit _11j
TM cells, in this ATM control unit 11 _j, removes the 1-octet destination port number of the first portion, and is output to the terminal port PTj as ATM cells 53 octets. The HCV 12a in the ATM control unit 12 having the monitor port PM and the internal port P
The HCV 14a in the ATM control unit 14 having the I
It v11a has the same configuration and, in these ATM control unit 12, 14, HCV12a, based on 14a, control such as similar header conversion and the ATM control unit 11 _i is to be carried out.

FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams showing the configuration of the control memory 20 in FIG. 1. FIG. 3A shows a channel / internal connection number conversion table, and FIG. 3B shows an internal connection number. The empty / occupied table and FIG. 3C respectively show the configuration of the internal connection management table. The channel / internal connection number conversion table in FIG. 3A is a table showing the correspondence between the channel number CNO composed of the port number PNO and VPI / VCI and the internal connection number NCN. Each time the internal connection number NCN is set corresponding to the channel specified by the port number PNO and VPI / VCI, the set internal connection number NCN is stored in the address using the channel number CNO as an index. It has become. The channel number CNO for which the corresponding internal connection number NCN is not set includes:
The "unused" category is stored. FIG.
The internal connection number empty / busy table of (b) indicates whether the internal connection number NCN has been allocated to a specific channel (that is, “blocked”) for each of a predetermined series of internal connection numbers NCN, The classification of whether the data is unassigned (that is, “empty”) is stored.

The internal connection management table shown in FIG. 3C is a table for storing management information of channels allocated to each internal connection number NCN. The management information includes a monitor execution state, user channel information 1, user channel information 2, and monitor channel information for each internal connection number NCN. The monitor execution status is the monitor port PM
Indicates whether or not the channel is being monitored, and stores “non-executing” and “executing”. The user channel information 1 (CH1) has information such as one port number of the channel, VPI, and VCI. The user channel information 2 (CH2) includes the other port number, VPI, and VC of the connection.
I and other information. When the monitor execution state is “executing”, the monitor channel information indicates the V of a channel for monitoring data from one port to the other port.
PI1 and VCI1, and VPI2 and VC of a channel for monitoring data from the other port to one port
This is information for specifying I2.

Next, the operation of the ATM switch 10 shown in FIG.
The following describes (1) connection when monitoring is not performed, (2) connection during monitoring between terminal ports and internal ports, and (3) connection during monitoring between terminal ports. (1) Connection when monitoring is not performed FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of connection when monitoring is not performed in FIG. 1. FIG 4 is, for example, by power-on of the ATM terminal ₁ 1, _{1 2} accommodated in the ATM switch 10, between these ATM terminals ₁ 1, _{1 2} and the signal control unit 16 of the ATM switch 10, VPI / V respectively
This shows a state in which an ATM connection of CI (= 0/5) is set.

At this time, each table in the control memory 20 is set as follows. Internal connection number empty / occupied table NCN1... "Occluded" NCN2... "Occupied" Channel / internal connection number conversion table # P1, VPI / VCI = 0/5. "NCN2"#PI, VPI / VCI = 0/1 "NCN1"#PI, VPI / VCI = 0/2 "NCN2" Internal connection management table NCN1, monitor execution status CH1 port number "# P1" CH1VPI "0" CH1VCI "5" CH2 port number "#PI" CH2VPI "0" CH2VCI "1" NCN2, monitor execution state "Not running" CH1 port number "# P2" CH1VPI "0" CH1VCI "5" CH2 port number "#PI" CH2VPI "0" CH VCI ·· "2" In addition, ATM control unit ₁₁ 1, 11 in the ₂ HCV11a,
The HCV 14a in the ATM control unit 14 is set as follows.

[0013] HCV11a of the ATM control unit 11 VPI / VCI of HCV11a in ₁ = 0/5 partner port number ... "#PI" opponent VPI ·· "0" partner VCI ·· "1" ATM control unit 11 in the ₂ VPI / VCI = 0/5 partner port number "#PI" partner VPI "0" partner VCI "2" VPI / VCI of HCV 14a in ATM control unit 14/1 partner port number "# P1" Other party VPI "0" Other party VCI "5" VPI / VCI of HCV 14a in ATM control unit = 0/2 Other party port number "# P2" Other party VPI "0" Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the connection of the internal connection number NCN (= NCN1) between the terminal port PT1 and the internal port PI is established in the ATM switch 13 as shown in FIG. Action is set, and a connection with an internal connection number NCN (= NCN2) is set between the terminal port PT2 and the internal port PI. Then, transmission and reception of an ATM cell format connection control signal are performed through these connections.

(2) Connection at the time of monitoring between the terminal port and the internal port FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the connection at the time of monitoring between the terminal port and the internal port in FIG. FIG 5 is a ATM terminal _{1 1} housed in the ATM switch 10, configured VPI / V between the signal control unit 16 of the ATM switch 10
This shows a state in which monitoring of a CI (= 0/5) ATM connection is performed. First, the protocol monitor 2 is connected to the monitor port PM of the monitor ATM control unit 12, and the monitoring is set. Thereby, the input signal line and the output signal line of the monitor port PM are connected in a loop state by the protocol monitor 2. Next, the operator inputs the command specifying a terminal port number to be monitored from the console 17 PNO (= # P1), the to be monitored ATM terminal _{1 1} side VPI / VCI (= 0/5 ) . When a command is input, the monitoring control unit 1
8 and the VPI / VC on the ATM terminal ₁₁ side.
It is determined that the instruction is a connection setting instruction for monitoring I (= 0/5). The monitoring controller 18 searches the channel / internal connection number conversion table in the control memory 20 for the internal connection number NCN of the port number PNO (= # P1) and VPI / VCI (= 0/5), and searches for “NCN1”. Is read.

Next, the internal connection number NC in the internal connection management table
The monitor execution status in N (= NCN1) is read out, and it is determined that the status is "non-execution". As a result, a connection setting request for monitoring is output from the monitoring controller 18 to the connection controller 19. In the connection control unit 19, when a connection setting request for monitoring is given,
First, the internal connection number empty / busy table in the control memory 20 is searched, and two internal connection numbers NCN in an “empty” state to be assigned to the monitor port PM (for example, NCN3, NCN)
4) Selected. Then, the NCN of the internal connection number vacancy table
3 and 4 are changed to the “closed” state. In addition,
From the internal connection number conversion table, “unused” VPI / VC in the port number PNO (= # PM) of the monitor port MP
I is searched. Thereby, for example, VPI / VCI
Two channels = 0/1 and 0/2 are selected. Then, the monitor port P is assigned to these selected channels.
Internal connection number NCN selected to be assigned to M
3, NDN4 are assigned.

As a result, each table in the control memory 20 is rewritten by the connection control unit 19 as follows. Internal connection number empty / occupied table NCN3... "Occupied" NCN4... "Occupied" Channel / internal connection number conversion table # P1, VPI / VCI = 0/5. "NCN4"#PM, VPI / VCI = 0/1 "NCN3"#PM, VPI / VCI = 0/2 "NCN4" Internal connection management table NCN3, monitor execution status "Executing" CH1 port number "# P1" CH1VPI "0" CH1VCI "5" CH2 port number "#PI" CH2VPI "0" CH2VCI "1" Monitor VPI1 "0" Monitor VCI1 ··· “1” Monitor VPI2 ··· “0” Monitor VCI2 ···· “2” NCN4, monitor running state ··· “Running” CH1 port number ··· “# P2” H1VPI "0" CH1VCI "5" CH2 port number "#PI" CH2VPI "0" CH2VCI "2" Monitor VPI1 "0" Monitor VCI1 "3" Monitor VPI2 for the monitor "0" VCI2 for the monitor "4" Further, the connection control unit 19 sends the AT
HCV11a of M control unit 11 in _1, HCV12a the ATM control unit 12, and the ATM control unit 14 HCV14
a is rewritten as follows.

[0017] of HCV11a of the ATM control unit 11 within ₁ VPI / VCI = 0/5 partner port number ... "#PM" opponent VPI ·· "0" partner VCI ·· "1" of HCV12a of the ATM control unit 12 VPI / VCI = 0/1 partner port number "#PI" partner VPI "0" partner VCI "2" VPI / VCI of HCV 12a in ATM control unit 12/2 partner port number "#PI" partner VPI "0" partner VCI "2" VPI / VCI of HCV 14a in ATM control unit = 0/1 partner port number "# P1" partner VPI "0" partner As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, in the ATM switch 13, the connection of the internal connection number NCN (= NCN3) is provided between the terminal port PT1 and the monitor port PM. ® down is set, the connection of the internal connection number NCN (= NCN4) is set between the monitor port PM and internal port PI. Then, by these connections, the route from the terminal port PT1 to the monitor port PM to the internal port PI
Transmission and reception of connection control signals in the form of ATM cells are performed. Thereby, the connection monitor can be collected and monitored by the protocol monitor 2 connected to the monitor port PM.

(3) Connection at the time of monitoring between terminal ports FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the connection at the time of monitoring between the terminal ports of FIG. The 6, ATM connections, and the ATM terminal _{1 3} and the ATM terminal 1 configured VPI / VCI between the ATM terminal _{1 1} and the ATM terminal _{1 2} accommodated in the ATM switch 10 (= 0/32) ₄ shows a state in which the monitoring of the ATM connection of VPI / VCI (= 0/32) set between them is performed. First,
The protocol monitor 2 is connected to the monitor port PM of the monitoring ATM control unit 12, and is set to be in a monitorable state. Thereby, the input signal line and the output signal line of the monitor port PM are connected in a loop state by the protocol monitor 2. Then, the operator, the terminal port number PNO to be monitored from the console 17 (= # P1), the to be monitored ATM terminal _{1 1} side VPI / VCI (= 0
/ 32) is input. As a result, the same processing as the connection at the time of monitoring between the terminal port and the internal port described in the above (2) is performed, and the ATM connection of the internal connection number NCN5 through the path from the terminal port PT1 to the monitor port PM to the terminal port PT2. Is set. Furthermore, the operator inputs a command for designating a terminal port number to be monitored from the console 17 PNO (= # P3), the to be monitored ATM terminal _{1 1} side VPI / VCI (= 0/32 ). Thereby, similarly, the ATM connection of the internal connection number NCN6 by the route of the terminal port PT3 to the monitor port PM to the terminal port PT4 is set.

Since these internal connection numbers NCN5 and NCN6 are all designed to transfer ATM cells through the monitor port PM, two of them are simultaneously transmitted by one protocol monitor 2 connected to the monitor port PM. A
It is possible to collect and monitor the connection control signal of the TM connection. As described above, the ATM switch 10 of the present embodiment includes the monitoring ATM control unit 12 having the monitor port PM for connecting the monitoring device such as the protocol monitor 2 and the like. A connection control unit 19 having a function of setting an ATM connection via the monitor port PM based on the monitor port PM. This eliminates the need to change the connection of the communication line to connect the protocol monitor 2, and monitors ATM cells for the specified destination channel on the specified communication line port without affecting the already set channel. There is an advantage that can be.
Further, by setting a plurality of ATM connections for monitoring, there is an advantage that a single protocol monitor 2 can simultaneously monitor a plurality of ATM connections.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, there are the following modifications (a) and (b). (A) Although the ATM terminal 1 _i is connected to the ATM control device 11 _i , it is not limited to the ATM terminal 1 _i and other ATM terminals 1 _i are connected.
A TM exchange may be connected. (B) In the connection at the time of monitoring between terminal ports in (3),
Although two ATM connections are monitored at the same time, it is also possible to monitor three or more ATM connections at the same time.

[0021]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, an ATM cell to be monitored is output to the monitoring port based on the monitoring command, and the ATM cell input from the monitoring port is output.
It has a connection control unit that controls the connection so as to output the cell to the destination communication line port. As a result, just by connecting a monitoring device such as a protocol monitor to the monitoring port,
It is possible to monitor the state of communication with a specified destination channel on a specified communication line port without affecting a preset channel under communication.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ATM exchange showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an HCV 11a in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a control memory 20 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a connection when the monitoring of FIG. 1 is not performed;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a connection at the time of monitoring between a terminal port and an internal port in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a connection at the time of monitoring between the terminal ports of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 ₁ to 1 _n ATM terminal 2 Protocol monitor 10 ATM switch 11 _{1 to} 11 _n , 12, 14 ATM control unit 11a, 12a, 14a HCV (header converter) 13 ATM switch 15 Cell disassembly / assembly control unit 16 Signal control unit 17 Console 18 Monitoring control unit 19 Connection control unit 20 Control memory

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An asynchronous transfer mode cell comprising a plurality of communication line ports, comprising an asynchronous transfer mode cell comprising a header for identifying a destination channel and data divided into a fixed length, being input from said communication line port. An asynchronous transfer mode switch that selects the communication line port corresponding to the destination channel based on the information of the header and outputs the asynchronous transfer mode cell to the selected communication line port. Or a monitoring port for connecting a monitoring device that monitors the asynchronous transfer mode cell to a designated communication line port and a destination channel among the asynchronous transfer mode cells output to the communication line port; An input unit for inputting a monitoring command that specifies the communication line port and the destination channel of Based on the monitoring command, the asynchronous transfer mode cell for the destination channel to be monitored among the asynchronous transfer mode cells input from the communication line port to be monitored or output to the communication line port is monitored. And a connection control unit that controls connection so as to output the asynchronous transfer mode cell input from the monitoring port to the communication line port corresponding to the destination channel. Asynchronous transfer mode switch.