CN1269653A

CN1269653A - Communication protection method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN1269653A
Application number: CN00108357A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 铃木真
Original assignee: NEC Corp
Current assignee: NEC Corp
Priority date: 1999-03-12
Filing date: 2000-03-11
Publication date: 2000-10-11
Also published as: JP2000269973A; JP3341703B2

Abstract

The invention suppresses waste of connection resources and to lighten the load of a connection setting processing by measuring the used bandwidth of a communication connection being used and establishing a standby communication connection according to the measurement result. A standby connection in a switch table, and discards in-use connection information and uses the standby connection information, when some kind of abnormality occurs to the in-use side to protect the communication.

Description

Communication protecting method and equipment

The present invention relates to the recovery policy in the packet communication, particularly relate to communication protecting method and equipment in a kind of packet communication that uses the ATM(Asynchronous Transfer Mode) communicator.

In order to protect the connection of packet communication, a kind of protection of several different methods and recovery policy used typically proposed, and said method comprises and be used to protect two kinds of connections, promptly works to connect and 1+1 protection method that protection is connected.The example of this method comprises that Japanese special permission discloses disclosed the working and protecting method and the ATM communicator that the switching grouping is connected between the part of 10-145374.

Fig. 1 illustrates the block diagram that connects the ATM communicator of carrying out the conventional system switching therein for grouping.As shown in Figure 1, the work VC (virtual connections) that indicates reference number 10.0 and 10.1 is set between ATM communicator 1 and another ATM communicator 2.ATM communicator 1.1 on transmitter side only sends user cell to a VC of working portion.

ATM communicator 1.2 on the receiver side so is provided with connection to transmit work VC and the descending cell of protection VC.If break down on work VC, then the ATM communicator 1.1 of transmit leg switches to protection VC with the transmission destination of cell from work VC, thereby finishes recovery operation.

Yet, in above-mentioned prior art, need preparation work and protection VC all the time.This means and when n VC is used for communication on the network, have n protection VC at least.

In other words, when communication line did not break down, these protections VC increased the quantity of the connection identifier (CID that is wasted in the network.In addition, in the network of dynamically setting up VC, it is the VC set handling that signal post need handle twice that each communicator is all being undertaken.

In addition, it can be interpreted as protecting the setting of VC and current user mode without any relation.Therefore, in case protection VC is set up, even work side does not send grouping, this protection VC is also kept by former state.

Another kind of protection connection method to set up discloses among the 10-13433 in Japan's special permission and has disclosed.In the prior art, do not keep the bandwidth that protection connects, and keep its VPI and VCI.When fault appeared at work and connect to go up, the connection with lowest priority was disconnected, and its bandwidth is assigned to and will connects the protection of using as work and connect.

Because VPI and the VCI of protection VC are kept in advance, therefore in the situation that fault does not occur on communication line, this reservation also can be wasted the scope that is used at communication network sign VC.In addition, in the network of dynamically setting up VC, each communicator is all being undertaken the tasks such as protection connection that are connected in connection and the use that is provided for substituting lowest priority in the use of selecting lowest priority.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a kind of communication protecting method and equipment, load is set and does not waste connection resource in the network dynamically generating the connection that allows to reduce communicator when connecting.

To achieve these goals,, at first measure a job and connect shared bandwidth, set up the processing that a protection connects according to this measurement result then according to the present invention.In other words, a protection that is used for the work connection that increases in this occupied bandwidth being set before fault occurs in a work connection connects.Since work connect than the narrow bandwidth situation under do not form protection and connect, the waste that therefore can reduce connection resource with can reduce being connected of each communicator load is set.

According to the present invention, monitor by work to connect a bandwidth of using, and start the setting that protection connects according to the value of this work connection institute dedicated bandwidth.When work connect be monitored bandwidth and surpass a predetermined threshold time, between the ATM communicator, start the setting that protection connects.Protection connects and can be retained between the ATM communicator with cooperation mode.Under the situation about breaking down in work connects, this work connection is switched to a protection that is retained and connects.

According to another aspect of the present invention; a kind ofly, protection connects the method that communicates to connect of protecting by being set; this protection connects to be used for substituting in the work between many interconnective ATM communicators of ATM communication line and connects; each ATM communicator has many packet communication circuits with its adaptation, and this method may further comprise the steps:

A) response is provided with a job and connects through the grouping to a destination addressing that one of transmitted in packets circuit receives on article one ATM transmission line between the ATM communicator;

B) monitor whether surpassed a predetermined threshold to determine the bandwidth summation of using in article one ATM transmission line to the required bandwidth of article one ATM transmission line transmission ATM cell; With

C) when the bandwidth summation of using in article one ATM transmission line circuit surpasses predetermined threshold, a protection is set on the second ATM transmission line between the ATM device connects.

Fig. 1 is that explanation has the block diagram that traditional grouping connects an ATM communicator of switching capability;

Fig. 2 is the block diagram that the configuration of communications protection equipment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is described;

Fig. 3 is the schematic diagram of explanation stored packet table in the packet handler of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is the schematic diagram that the switching table of storing in the handoff manager of Fig. 2 is described;

Fig. 5 is explanation VPI/VCI request or the schematic diagram of specifying the form of cell;

Fig. 6 is the schematic diagram of the routing table stored in the Route Selection manager of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is explanation request and the schematic diagram of specifying a sequence of VPI/VCI numerical value;

Fig. 8 is the block diagram of an example of the network configuration of the explanation communications protection equipment that utilizes Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is the schematic diagram of the state that is provided with of the routing table of the Route Selection manager among the communicator A of key diagram 8;

Figure 10 A be explanation the occupied bandwidth of work on the transmission line less than first state of predetermined threshold in the block diagram of network of Fig. 8;

Figure 10 B is the schematic diagram of entry of working portion of the switching table of the communicator A under first state;

Figure 10 C is the schematic diagram of entry of working portion of the switching table of the communicator B under first state;

Figure 11 A be explanation the occupied bandwidth of work transmission line less than second state of predetermined threshold under the block diagram of network of Fig. 8;

Figure 11 B is the schematic diagram of entry of working portion of the switching table of the communicator A under second state;

Figure 11 C is the schematic diagram of entry of working portion of the switching table of the communicator B under second state;

Figure 12 A be explanation the occupied bandwidth of work on the transmission line less than the third state of predetermined threshold under the block diagram of network of Fig. 8;

Figure 12 B is the schematic diagram of entry of working portion of the switching table of the communicator A under the third state;

Figure 12 C is the schematic diagram of entry of working portion of the switching table of the communicator B under the third state;

Figure 12 D is the schematic diagram of entry of protection part of the switching table of the communicator A under the third state;

Figure 12 E is the schematic diagram of entry of protection part of the switching table of the communicator B under the third state.

As shown in Figure 2; for simplicity; suppose that the communications protection equipment 10 that is used for packet communication comprises three packet handlers 11,12 and 13; an ATM cell switch 14; two ATM transmission processors 15 and 16, one protection parts are provided with 17, one Route Selection managers 18 of starter; a VPI/VCI (virtual path identifier/Virtual Path Identifier) determiner 19 and a handoff manager 20.

ATM transmission processor 15 and 16 each comprise bandwidth monitor 21 and a cell multiplexer/demultiplexer 22.Because ATM transmission processor 15 and 16 has identical circuit structure, therefore omit explanation to ATM transmission processor 16.

Communications protection equipment 10 has three the transmitted in packets circuits 23,24 and 25 that connect packet handler 11,12 and 13 respectively, with two ATM transmission lines 26 that are connected ATM transmission processor 15 and 16 respectively and 27.Procotol (IP) grouping that receives through transmitted in packets circuit 23,24 and 25 is segmented into a plurality of ATM cell, then each ATM cell is sent to the destination of IP address.

If the IP address of the grouping that receives through transmitted in packets circuit 23 is new, packet handler 11 is provided with request to working portion and exports to Route Selection manager 18 so.Otherwise, if the IP grouping is received, so just it is converted to ATM cell, export to ATM cell switch 14.

Packet handler 12 is to handle the grouping that receives through transmitted in packets circuit 24 with packet handler 11 identical modes.Equally, packet handler 13 is also to handle the grouping that receives through transmitted in packets circuit 25 with packet handler 11 identical modes.

ATM cell switch 14 is from packet handler 11,12 and 13 input ATM cell, and the header information that relies on each ATM cell by the switching table of consulting in the handoff manager 20 storage is exported in ATM transmission processor 15 and 16 one to each ATM cell.During output, each header of ATM cell is changed, and the back describes this.

ATM transmission processor 15 and 16 each be provided with a bandwidth monitor 21 and a cell multiplexer/demultiplexer 22.Bandwidth monitor 21 monitors the header of the ATM cell of passing through, thereby measures the bandwidth that each connects current use.Specifically, bandwidth monitor 21 is according to the current bandwidth that accounts in the cell header information monitoring virtual path from the atm cell stream of ATM cell switch 14 inputs.In addition, 22 pairs of ATM cell of cell multiplexer/demultiplexer and to determine that from the VPI/VCI of VPI/VCI determiner 19 input cell carries out multiplexed are to be sent to a cell that is re-used on the ATM transmission line 26.On the other hand, when when ATM transmission line 26 receives ATM cell, cell multiplexer/demultiplexer 22 VPI/VCI of demultiplexing from the ATM cell that receives specifies cell and it is exported to VPI/VCI determiner 19.

ATM processor 16 is to carry out processing on the ATM transmission line 27 with ATM transmission processor 15 identical modes.

The protection part is provided with starter 17 from the information of ATM transmission processor 15 with 16 each current occupied bandwidth that are connected of input, and the current occupied bandwidth with each connection compares with the predetermined threshold that startup protection part is connected setting operation then.Connect if exist above the protection ATM that threshold value is set partly, protection partly is provided with starter 17 and above the protection that is used for the ATM connection that the protection part is provided with threshold value request is set partly to 18 outputs of Route Selection manager so.

When receiving from each of packet handler 11,12 and 13 that working portion is provided with request or when the protection part is provided with starter 17 and receives the protection part request is set; Route Selection manager 18 is selected a corresponding output port from the routing table that is had, then the VPI/VCI specified request that is used for this output port is exported to VPI/VCI determiner 19.In other words, the 18 selection protection connections of Route Selection manager are available output ports and export a VPI/VCI and determine request.

When from Route Selection manager 18 reception VPI/VCI specified request; VPI/PCI determiner 19 receives VPI/VCI appointment cell to an adjacent communication device transmission VPI/VCI request cell and according to preset program and data format from this adjacent communication device, to determine will be used to protect the VPI/VCI numerical value of a connection partly.

The corresponding input VPI/VCI numerical value of output VPI/VCI numerical value that handoff manager 20 is determined to obtain with VIP/VCI determiner 19 is so that the establishment switching table is given the information of input side one with the corresponding packet handler 11,12 of its input port and 13 then.In other words, the result who is obtained by VPI/VCI determiner 19 partly connects as the protection in the switching table and is registered.When on a current part that is used, breaking down, deletion working portion information and use the protection partial information, thus realize the protection of communication.

Therefore; in communications protection equipment 10 according to the present invention; connection greater than the bandwidth of threshold value keeps a protection connection to needs, and the present invention can be protected fault being occurred may be highstrung telex network, thereby has guaranteed the network economical interests.

Below, with the operation of explanation communications protection equipment 10.

Shown in Figure 3, grouping sheet contains a plurality of entries, its each constitute by IP address, destination and VPI/VCI numerical value.Each packet handler 11-13 holds its grouping sheet.When packet handler 11 when transmitted in packets circuit 23 receives grouping, be destination its grouping sheet of IP address searching of the grouping that receives.If do not find coupling in grouping sheet, 11 working portions the IP address, destination that is used to be received grouping of packet handler are provided with request and export to Route Selection manager 18.Otherwise if find coupling in grouping sheet, this grouping that receives then is segmented into a plurality of ATM cell, its each have the VPI/VCI that is found entry that writes its header.These a plurality of ATM cell are exported to ATM cell switch 14.Corresponding packet handler 12 and 13 is operated transmitted in packets circuit 24 and 25 in the same treatment mode of packet handler 11.

As shown in Figure 4, the switching table that keeps in the handoff manager 20 contains a plurality of entries, its each form by IP address, destination, input port number, input VPI/VCI numerical value, output port number and output VPI/VCI numerical value.In addition, this entry is divided into operate portions grouping and protection part group.

ATM cell switch 14 is read from the header information of each packet handler 11,12 and 13 ATM cell that receive, and the ATM cell destination IP address searching switching table shown in Figure 4 for receiving.If do not find coupling in the working portion entry group of switching table, this ATM cell that receives is then normally deleted.If in the working portion entry group of switching table, find a coupling, the header information of the ATM cell that receives be transformed to working portion entry group in the corresponding output of found entry VPI/VCI numerical value, after this ATM cell is sent to the corresponding output end mouth of ATM switch 14.

Find that at ATM cell switch 14 some fault appears in the situation on the output transmission line, use out of order transmission line and entry in the operate portions grouping that obtains is deleted from switching table.In addition, if the IP address of deleted entry is present in the protection part entry group, 14 on ATM cell switch is stored this entry once more with as a working portion entry, after this controls and turns back to normal running.

In ATM transmission processor 15, bandwidth monitor 21 monitors from the atm cell stream of ATM cell switch 14 inputs, and is the number counting of chronomere to ATM cell with every header information.In addition, bandwidth monitor 21 is exported to the protection part to this count value as current bandwidth information occupied or that be used starter 17 is set, and further the ATM cell former state that receives is exported to cell multiplexer/demultiplexer 22.

Cell multiplexer/demultiplexer 22 is specifying cell to be multiplexed on the ATM transmission line 26 from the ATM cell of bandwidth monitor 21 inputs with from VPI/VCI request cell or VPI/VCI that VPI/VCI determiner 19 is imported.When ATM transmission line 26 receives ATM cell, the ATM cell that cell multiplexer/demultiplexer 22 demultiplexings receive only specifies VPI/VCI request cell or VPI/VCI cell to export to VPI/VCI determiner 19.ATM transmission processor 16 is to operate ATM transmission line 27 with ATM transmission processor 15 identical processing modes.

VPI/VCI request cell and VPI/VCI specify cell to use VPI/VCI=0/32 to send/receive, and the form of these cells is consistent with cell format shown in Figure 5.

Protection part is provided with starter 17 and the cell number of time per unit is provided with threshold value with the protection part compares, and the wherein said unit interval is the time from each header information of each reception of ATM transmission processor 15 and 16.If outnumbering of cell surpasses protection part threshold value, the protection part is provided with 17 of starters and the protection part is provided with request exports to Route Selection manager 18.This protection part request appointed output terminal mouth, output VPI numerical value, output VCI numerical value are set and surpass protection part threshold value this be connected IP address, destination.

Route Selection manager 18 has the routing table of predetermined format as shown in Figure 6.Routing table is registered the port identifiers of an output that is used as working portion and is used as another port identifiers of an output of the protection part corresponding with each IP address, destination.

When any one the reception working portion from packet handler 11,12 and 13 was provided with request, Route Selection manager 18 search work in routing table partly was provided with the IP address of request.If in this routing table, find a coupling, then from found entry, read working portion port information as output port.

During this period, receive the request that partly is provided with of protecting in case from the protection part starter 17 is set, Route Selection manager 18 is provided with the IP address routing table of request for the protection part.If in routing table, find a coupling, then from found entry, read protection part port information as output port.

In addition, Route Selection manager 18 is to VPI/VCI specified request of VPI/VCI determiner 19 output, with the appointed output terminal mouth, request classification (that is, working portion or protection part) and IP address, destination are set.

In case receive the VPI/VCI specified request from Route Selection manager 18, whether the entry that VPI/VCI determiner 19 at first determines to have the like combinations of the request of being provided with classification and IP address, destination is present in the switching table (referring to Fig. 4) that handoff manager 20 had.

If have that the entry of the like combinations of the request of being provided with classification and IP address, destination is present in the switching table and be provided with the request classification be work or protection irrelevant; then IP address numerical value is deposited in the VPI/VCI request cell (referring to Fig. 5), and VPI/VCI request cell is exported to the cell multiplexer/demultiplexer 22 of one of the ATM transmission processor 15 corresponding with requested port and 16.

As shown in Figure 7, suppose that communicator 1 is connected through the ATM transmission line with 2, VPI/VCI request cell transmits to communicator 2 from communicator 1.In communicator 2 with received VPI/VCI request cell, seek available VPI/VCI numerical value and, specify the VPI/VCI that comprises available VPI/VCI numerical value cell to be transmitted back to communicator 1 then in the available VPI/VCI numerical value insertion VPI/VCI appointment cell.

In case from same port receive have be inserted into the VPI/VCI request cell that is sent out the VPI/VCI of identical IP address, IP address specify cell, then VIP/VCI determiner 19 obtains this VPI/VCI numerical value, so that it is exported to handoff manager 20 with request classification and IP address, destination are set.

Be directed into working portion and IP address, destination Already under the situation in the working portion entry group of switching table in the request that is provided with, the output port number in this found entry, output VPI numerical value and output VCI numerical value are fed to handoff manager 20.Otherwise, be directed into protection part and IP address, destination Already under the situation in the protection part entry group of switching table in the request that is provided with, do not carry out processing.

On the other hand, in case receive VPI/VCI request cell from the cell multiplexer/demultiplexer 22 of one of ATM transmission processor 15 and 16, VPI/VCI determiner 19 is searched for untapped VPI/VCI numerical value on the corresponding port in the switching table of handoff manager 20.Then, VPI/VCI determiner 19 produces a VPI/VCI and specifies cell, and it comprises the available VPI/VCI numerical value consistent with form shown in Figure 5, and this VPI/VCI appointment cell is exported to the port that receives VPI/VCI request cell.

Handoff manager 20 is retrieved the available VPI/VCI on the requested input oral-lateral from the switching table that request is set about working portion, this working portion is provided with request and sends from VPI/VCI determiner 19, and output port, output VPI and output VCI that available VPI/VCI and VPI/VCI determiner 19 obtain from nearby device combine, so that " IP address, destination, input port, input VPI, input VCI, output port, output VPI and output VCI " registered in the working portion entry group in the switching table as an entry.

In addition; for the protection that receives request is set partly from VPI/VCI determiner 19; handoff manager 20 is retrieved all working portion entries with identical ip addresses from switching table, and reads Entering Number, import VPI numerical value and importing VCI numerical value of each entry that retrieves.After this; these numerical value and the output port number that sends from VPI/VCI determiner 19, output VPI and output VCI numerical value combine, so that " IP address, destination, input port, input VPI, input VCI, output port, output VPI and output VCI " registered in the protection part entry group in the switching table as an entry.

In this mode, when surpassing the predetermined set threshold value by the required occupied bandwidth of the ATM cell of communications protection device 10, protection part entry rather than working portion entry are deposited on the switching table about the connection be concerned about.

If fault appears on the ATM transmission line that is used by working portion, protection part entry can be used as the working portion entry.In other words, this protection that can be interpreted as having kept about this connection connects.Therefore, even some fault appears on the working portion, communication service also can be provided continuously.

Referring to Fig. 8, each of communicator A and B is provided with communications protection device 10 shown in Figure 2, and they interconnect through ATM transmission line 26 and 27.

In addition, communicator A is connected communication terminal a1, a2 and a3 through packet communication circuit 23a, 24 respectively with 25.Communicator B connects communication terminal b through transmitted in packets circuit 23b.

Below, research is started the operation of communicating by letter to communicator b from communication terminal a1, a2, a3 (by shown order) in equipment shown in Figure 8.Here, suppose that each required bandwidth of communication terminal a1-a2 and b is set to 2Mbps, the protection part is provided with threshold value and is set to 5Mbps.The routing table of holding in the Route Selection manager 18 of communicator A is by initial set as shown in Figure 9.In addition, other all tables are for empty.

Referring to Figure 10 A, a grouping of communication terminal b addressing is exported to communicator A through transmitted in packets circuit 23 from communication terminal a1.Because the grouping sheet that packet handler 11 is held does not have entry in communicator A, the working portion that therefore is used for IP address b is provided with request and is exported to Route Selection manager 18.

Route Selection manager 18 is Searching I P address b in routing table.In this case, because the entry #1 that IP address b is present in the routing table goes up (referring to Fig. 9), Route Selection manager 18 selects ATM transmission lines 26 as the working portion output port that is used for IP address b, and IP address b be used for being connected the VPI/VCI specified request that is set to ATM transmission line 26 and export to VPI/VCI determiner 19 working.

In case when receiving the VPI/VCI specified request, VPI/VCI determiner 19 is just created a VPI/VCI request cell with form shown in Figure 5, wherein IP address field is set to b.When VPI/VCI request cell is exported to cell multiplexer/demultiplexer 22 in the ATM transmission processor 15, it with export to other ATM cell of ATM transmission line 26 by multiplexed subsequently.

When communicator B through ATM transmission line 26 when communicator A receives the ATM cell comprise VPI/VCI request cell, the cell multiplexer/demultiplexer 22 of communicator B is exported to VPI/VCI determiner 19 with the VPI/VCI request cell that receives.A untapped input VPI/VCI on the ATM transmission line 26 of VPI/VCI determiner 19 selective reception VPI/VCI request cell (VPI=1, VCI=32), and further select one export VPI/VCI (VPI=0, VCI=33).

Therefore, shown in Figure 10 C, " IP address; input port, input VPI, input VCI; output port; output VPI and output VCI "=" b, ATM transmission line 26,1; 32; transmitted in

packets circuit

23,0,33 " is registered on the working portion entry group in the switching table that the handoff manager 20 of communicator B is held.

Simultaneously, the VPI/VCI determiner 19 of communicator B is created a VPI/VCI consistent with form shown in Figure 5 and is specified cell, IP address b and VPI/VCI=1/32 are inserted VPI/VCI appointment cell, and it is exported to cell multiplexer/demultiplexer 22 in the ATM transmission processor 15, thereby it is sent back to communicator A through ATM transmission line 26.

When communicator A receives VPI/VCI when specifying cell through ATM transmission line 26 from communicator B, cell multiplexer/demultiplexer 22 is exported to VPI/VCI determiner 19 with it.VPI/VCI determiner 19 is read VPI/VCI numerical value (VPI/VCI=1/32 here) and handoff manager 20 is exported to as appointment VPI/VCI in VPI/VCI numerical value=1/32 from the VPI/VCI that receives specifies the VPI/VCI field of cell.

Handoff manager 20 select on the transmitted in packets circuits 23 a untapped VPI/VCI=1/33 as with the corresponding input value of output VPI/VCI=1/32 that receives from VPI/VCI determiner 19.In this mode, shown in Figure 10 B, " IP address; input port, input VPI, input VCI; output port; output VPI and output VCI "=" b, transmitted in packets circuit 23,1; 33;

ATM transmission line

26,1,32 " is registered on the working portion entry group of the switching table that the handoff manager 20 of communicator A held.

As mentioned above, originate from communication terminal a1 and to the grouping of communication terminal b addressing by segmentation, and on communicator A, export to ATM transmission line 26, shown in Figure 10 A with VPI/VCI=1/32 as a plurality of ATM cell.At communicator B, the ATM cell that receives from communicator A is rallied into original packet, and it is exported to communication terminal b.At this moment, the occupied bandwidth of the VPI/VCI=1/32 on the ATM transmission line 26 only is the 2Mbps less than the 5Mbps predetermined threshold.Therefore, protection part be provided with starter 17 not output protection request partly is set.

Referring to Figure 11 A, after this, when communicator A through transmitted in packets circuit 24 when communication terminal a2 receives grouping to communication terminal b addressing, a similar working portion that is used for IP address b is provided with request and is exported to Route Selection manager 18, and is used for a job is connected the similar VPI/VCI specified request that ATM transmission line 26 is given in setting to 19 outputs of VPI/VCI determiner.

Yet the switching table of handoff manager 20 has had the working portion entry as the ATM transmission line 26 that output port comprised corresponding with IP address b.Therefore, handoff manager 20 selects one on the transmitted in packets circuit 24 not use VPI/VCI=0/33 as an input value.In this mode, shown in Figure 11 B, " IP address; input port, input VPI, input VCI; output port, output VPI and output VCI "=" b, transmitted in packets circuit 24; 0; 33, ATM transmission line 26,1; 32, " be registered in the working portion entry group of the switching table that the handoff manager 20 of communicator A held.

As mentioned above, originate from communication terminal a1 and to the grouping of communication terminal b addressing and originate from communication terminal a2 and to the grouping of communication terminal b addressing by segmentation, and export to identical ATM transmission line 26 on the communicator A with VPI/VCI=1/32 as a plurality of ATM cell, shown in Figure 11 A.At communicator B, a plurality of ATM cell that receive from communicator A are rallied into original packet, and it is exported to communication terminal b.At this moment, the occupied bandwidth of the VPI/VCI=1/32 on the ATM transmission line 26 is the 2+2=4Mbps less than the 5Mbps predetermined threshold.Therefore, protection part be provided with starter 17 not output protection request partly is set.

Referring to Figure 12 A, after this, when communicator A through transmitted in packets circuit 25 when communication terminal a3 receives grouping to communication terminal b addressing, a similar working portion that is used for IP address b is provided with request and is exported to Route Selection manager 18, and is used for a job is connected the similar VPI/VCI specified request that ATM transmission line 26 is given in setting to 19 outputs of VPI/VCI determiner.

Situation shown in Figure 11 A, the switching table of handoff manager 20 have had the working portion entry as the ATM transmission line 26 that output port comprised corresponding with IP address b.Therefore, handoff manager 20 selects one on the transmitted in packets circuit 24 not use VPI/VCI=1/33 as an input value.In this mode, shown in Figure 12 B, " IP address; input port, input VPI, input VCI; output port, output VPI and output VCI "=" b, transmitted in packets circuit 25; 1; 33, ATM transmission line 26,1; 32, " be registered in the working portion entry group of the switching table that the handoff manager 20 of communicator A held.

As mentioned above, originate from communication terminal a1-a3 and the grouping of communication terminal b addressing is segmented into a plurality of ATM cell, they are multiplexed on communicator A in the identical ATM transmission line 26 with VPI/VCI=1/32, shown in Figure 12 A.At communicator B, ressembled into original packet from a plurality of ATM cell that communicator A receives, it is exported to communication terminal b.At this moment, the occupied bandwidth of the VPI/VCI=1/32 on the ATM transmission line 26 is the 2+2+2=6Mbps that surpasses the 5Mbps predetermined threshold.Therefore, bandwidth monitor 21 notice protection part is provided with the increase of currently used bandwidth of starter 17 VPI/VCI=1/32 greater than the predetermined threshold of 5Mbps.

When receiving this increases, the protection part is provided with a protection part that starter 17 will be used for IP address b and is provided with and asks to export to Route Selection manager 18.

Route Selection manager 18 is retrieved the ATM transmission line 27 as the protection part port of IP address b from routing table, then the VPI/VCI specified request is exported to VPI/VCI determiner 19.

When the VPI/VCI specified request received from Route Selection manager 18, VPI/VCI determiner 19 through ATM transmission processor 16 to a VPI/VCI request of ATM transmission line 27 outputs cell.

After this, when VPI/VCI determiner 16 when the VPI/VCI determiner of communicator B receives VPI/VCI specified request that comprises VPI/VCI=1/32, three protection part entries: " IP address; input port, input VPI, input VCI; output port, output VPI and output VCI "=" b, transmitted in packets circuit 23; 1,33, ATM transmission line 27; 1,32 " ,=" b; transmitted in

packets circuit

24,0,33;

ATM transmission line

27,1,32 "; and=" b, transmitted in packets circuit 25,1; 33, ATM transmission line 27,1; 32 " be registered in the protection part entry group of the switching table that the handoff manager 20 of communicator A held, shown in Figure 12 D.

In this mode, (that is, connection 5Mbps) is prepared a protection and is connected, and this is an important connection for currently used bandwidth surpasses the predetermined set threshold value.Otherwise, be the connection that is less than or equal to 5Mbps to currently used bandwidth, do not prepare protection and connect.

Therefore, even some fault appears on the transmission line that is used for important connection and when the currently used bandwidth of this important connection surpassed predetermined threshold, the protection of having prepared connects can be used to provide unbroken communication service.

Therefore, according to the present invention, measure all connections each connection currently used bandwidth and this measured occupied bandwidth and predetermined protection part be provided with threshold.Connection identifier (CID is used to have and surpasses the connection that predetermined protection part is provided with the measured occupied bandwidth of threshold value, determines that according to the result who consults between device itself and the apparatus adjacent this connection identifier (CID is connected so that be protected.

Thereby, can provide a protection to connect for having a wide band connection.This means can be for having wide band connection, and promptly the connection that bulk information may be lost under the situation that the transmission that fault or similar incidents cause is interrupted is provided with protection according to qualifications and connects, so that the protection communication service.

On the other hand; owing to be not the connection that may in the situation that causes transmission to interrupt by fault or similar incidents, lose of narrow connection-be a little information-protection is set connect for currently used bandwidth; therefore can save connection resource in the network (such as, connection identifier (CID).This means the load that can on network, reduce the connection set handling in the communicator, wherein connect and dynamically be provided with.

As mentioned above,, at first measure the institute's dedicated bandwidth that communicates to connect of working, detecting the measured bandwidth of using above starting the processing of setting up a protection connection under the situation of predetermined threshold then according to the present invention.

In addition, communications protection equipment according to the present invention has between neighboring devices cooperation and sets up the function that a protection connects, and appears in the incident that work connects work connected in fault and switch to the function that protection connects.

Thereby, connect and be connected for the packet communication of bandwidth with broad (surpassing predetermined threshold) connects the work of having prepared with its protection.In contrast, protection does not connect prepares for the packet communication with narrower bandwidth connects, thereby has suppressed the waste of connection resource.

In addition; because the present invention compares with the conventional method that the protection that corresponding all working connection is set connects; can reduce the connection total amount that is present on the network, each communicator that therefore network of connection dynamically is set can be cancelled some connection set handling loads.

In other words; although in the prior art; the protection connection is obtained regularly and is switched when breaking down; but communication protecting method of the present invention can dynamically be provided with protection according to the volume of business of each communicator, thereby has used the resource (connection resource) of communicator effectively.

As mentioned above; according to the present invention; set up processing that a protection connects and be the measurement result of the currently used bandwidth that communicates to connect according to work and carry out, therefore can suppress the waste of connection resource and can reduce the load of the connection set handling of communicator in the network that dynamic generation connects.

Claims

1. the method that protection communicates to connect is provided with and is used for substituting the protection connection of working between ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) communicator and connecting, and said method comprising the steps of:

A) monitor by the employed bandwidth of work connection; With

B) according to the value startup that is connected employed bandwidth by work protection being set connects.

2. method according to claim 1 wherein in step b), during being monitored bandwidth and surpassing predetermined threshold on work connects, starts between the ATM communicator and protection is set connects.

3. method according to claim 2 wherein keeps protection with cooperation mode and connects between the ATM communicator.

4. method according to claim 3 wherein connects under the situation about breaking down in work, and described work connection is switched to a protection that is retained and connects.

5. method according to claim 2, wherein step b) may further comprise the steps:

B.1) when work connect be monitored bandwidth and surpass predetermined threshold the time, send protection connection request cell from an ATM communicator to the 2nd ATM communicator;

B.2) connect the appointment cell from the 2nd ATM communicator to ATM communicator loopback protection;

B.3) connect the information of specifying cell according to described protection, described protection is set between first and second ATM communicator connects.

6. method that protection communicates to connect; between many interconnective ATM of ATM transmission line (asynchronous transfer mode) communicator, be provided with the protection connection that is used for substituting the work connection; each ATM communicator has many transmitted in packets circuits that adapt with it, said method comprising the steps of:

B) monitor to the required bandwidth of described article one ATM transmission line transmission ATM cell, whether surpassed predetermined threshold to determine the bandwidth summation of using in described article one ATM transmission line; With

C) when employed bandwidth summation in article one ATM transmission line surpasses predetermined threshold, a protection is set on the second ATM transmission line between the ATM communicator connects.

7. method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

D) when fault appears on article one ATM transmission line, the work connection is switched to second ATM transmission line from article one ATM transmission line.

8. method according to claim 6 wherein transmits the required bandwidth of ATM cell by being that unit monitors counting through the ATM cell of an ATM transmission line with time.

9. the equipment that protection communicates to connect is being provided with the protection connection that is used for substituting the work connection between many interconnective ATM of ATM transmission line (asynchronous transfer mode) communicator, and described equipment comprises:

One switches the ATM transmission line to set up the switch of required connection;

A bandwidth monitor monitors connecting employed bandwidth by work;

A routing information controller determines that according to the value that is connected employed bandwidth by work protection connects.

10. equipment according to claim 9, wherein during being monitored bandwidth and surpassing predetermined threshold on work connects, the routing information controller is identified for being provided with the routing information that protection connects.

11. equipment according to claim 10, wherein when fault appears on the ATM transmission line, switch switches to the 2nd ATM transmission line according to being used to be provided with the connection of will work of routing information that protection connects from an ATM transmission line.

12. equipment that protection communicates to connect; between the interconnective ATM of a plurality of ATM transmission lines (asynchronous transfer mode) communicator, be provided with the protection connection that is used for substituting the work connection; each ATM communicator has many transmitted in packets circuits that adapt with it, and described equipment comprises:

A working portion is provided with controller, when the grouping with new destination-address when a transmitted in packets circuit is received, produce working portion request be set;

An ATM cell switch is selected an ATM transmission line according to the switching table that comprises designated routing information, to be based upon being connected between a transmitted in packets circuit and the ATM transmission line;

An ATM transmission control unit (TCU) corresponding with each ATM transmission line is used for measurement and is connected employed bandwidth and be used for multiplexed/demultiplexing ATM cell by work;

A protection part is provided with controller, produces the protection part when the measured bandwidth on work connects surpasses predetermined threshold request is set; With

A routing information controller; receive the working portion request of not putting and the time be identified for the working portion routing information that work connects when controller is set from working portion, and receive described protection part the protection part routing information that is identified for protecting connection when asking is set when controller is set from the protection part.

13. equipment according to claim 12, wherein when fault appeared on the ATM transmission line, the ATM cell switch switched to two ATM transmission line with described work connection from the-ATM transmission line according to described protection part routing information.

14. equipment according to claim 12; wherein receive described protection part and be provided with when asking when controller is set from protection part; the routing information controller sends VPI/VCI (virtual path identifier/Virtual channe identifiers) request cell to other ATM communicator; and, keep based on VPI/VCI and specify the protection of cell to connect when receiving when specifying cell as the VPI/VCI that described VPI/VCI request cell is answered.

15. equipment according to claim 14, wherein the ATM transmission control unit (TCU) comprises:

A bandwidth monitor is measured bandwidth by being unit with time to counting through the ATM cell of ATM transmission control unit (TCU);

A cell multiplexer/demultiplexer, be used for a described ATM cell that receives from the bandwidth monitor and a described VPI/VCI request cell are multiplexed to corresponding ATM transmission line, and the ATM cell that demultiplexing receives from corresponding ATM transmission line is to export to described routing information controller to VPI/VCI appointment cell.