JP2000269916A - Network band management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a repeating delay time from becoming long by extracting and storing the using state of each via transmission line passing through each communication device, deciding whether or not all via transmission lines have vacancies at the same position, after obtaining information showing the using state of respective time slots of the via transmission lines, and allocating the time slots to requesting lines when vacancies are detected. SOLUTION: When a request for setting a line from the terminal of a communication device 2 to the terminal of another communication device is made, the request is sent from a control part 2b of the communication device 2, that accommodates the terminal to a management processor 1 and stored in a memory 12c. The using states of way transmission lines passing through respective communication devices are extracted from a transmission line information storage part 12a of a memory 12 and stored in an extracted information storage part 12b. Once information showing the use states of respective time slots of way transmission lines is obtained, it is decided whether or not the via transmission lines have vacancies at the same position, and once vacancies are detected, the free time slots at the same position are assigned to the requesting line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network bandwidth management system in an information transmission system comprising a plurality of communication devices and a network management device for centrally managing these communication devices.

A communication device includes a cross-connect for bypassing a path between a plurality of time-division multiplexing incoming transmission lines and a plurality of outgoing transmission lines or changing a time position. A network management device is provided to form a path to the other terminal via
Since a delay time occurs when passing through the cross-connect mechanism, it is desired to reduce the number of stages passing through the cross-connect mechanism as much as possible.

[0003]

FIG. 13 shows a configuration of a conventional network system, and the present invention is directed to a network system having such a configuration. In the figure, reference numerals 80a to 80d denote communication devices accommodating terminals and having a cross-connect mechanism of a path of a time-division multiplex transmission line, and 81 denotes a management unit for centrally managing a control unit of a cross-connection mechanism of a transmission line of each communication device. Processors, 82a to 82d are time-division multiplex transmission lines provided between communication devices, and 83a to 83d are terminals including computers and the like accommodated in each communication device.

The time-division multiplex transmission lines 80a to 80d perform transmission in a synchronous transmission mode in which individual user signals are allocated to a large number of fixed time slots and transmitted, and correspond to the bandwidth of a path used by the user. It is set by changing the number of assigned time slots. Each communication device relays or connects (connects) a path (time slot) on a plurality of input transmission paths to a terminal accommodated in the communication device.
And a function of switching (connecting) a path connected to a terminal of the own communication apparatus to a transmission path connected to another communication apparatus. When the communication device relays a path or switches to a terminal, the time slot on the ingress (or ingress) transmission line is changed to a different time slot on the egress (or egress) transmission line. When the delay time is generated by the cross-connect mechanism and the time slot does not change, the delay is not generated by bypassing (or skipping) the cross-connect.

In this system, the transmission path (including cross-connect) of each communication device is managed by the management processor 8.
1 is performed. The management processor 81 is connected to each of the plurality of communication devices by a known common line signaling method, or one communication device (the communication device 80d in FIG. 13).
A path connected to all communication devices is set via a transmission path connected to the communication device, and control information for managing each communication device is transmitted and received via the path.

The conventional bandwidth management method will be described. For example, when a request for setting a path from the terminal 83a of the communication device 80a to the terminal 83c of the communication device 80c occurs, the management processor 81 first sets the terminal 83a to the communication device 80a. In this case, the usage status of the time slot of the transmission line 82a for connecting to the communication device 80b is checked, and the free space detected as having the number of free space (time slot) corresponding to the requested band is allocated. Subsequently, in the communication device 80b, in order to connect the incoming route 82a to the outgoing transmission line 82c connecting to the communication device 80c, the use status of the transmission line 82c is checked, and an empty area (time slot) is searched. And the area is assigned to the path from the terminal 83a to the terminal 83c.

[0007]

According to the conventional method described above, in a network configuration in which communication devices are connected in series and long, if the number of communication devices through which a path to be newly set is large is large. However, there is a problem that the delay time generated by the cross-connect mechanism when relaying communication devices increases in proportion to the number of communication devices passing through.

[0008] As described above, when the number of communication devices through which the user line passes is large, the added value of the relay delay time increases, so that there is a problem that a session may be disconnected depending on the terminal using the user line. appear.

The present invention provides a network bandwidth management system capable of reducing a delay time due to a cross-connect function occupying most of the relay time and preventing an increase in the relay delay time even when the number of communication devices passing through is large. The purpose is to do.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle configuration of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a management processor, 10 is a line manager, 11 is a line allocator, 11a is the same time slot (TS) position allocation presence / absence determining means, 11b is used transmission path information extracting means, and 11c is the same time for all transmission paths. The slot (TS) discriminating means 11d is a step for reducing the number of stages via the cross-connect. Reference numeral 12 denotes a memory; 12a, a transmission line information storage unit storing the use status of a time slot (TS) for each transmission line of each communication device; 12b, extraction information for storing transmission line information extracted for allocation; The storage unit 12c is a line information storage unit that stores line information requested by the user. 13 is a band (allocation) of a plurality of communication devices and lines.
This is an input / output interface for transmitting and receiving network control information including management information. Reference numeral 2 denotes a communication device for accommodating terminals and transmission paths, 2a an input / output interface for transmitting and receiving control signals to and from the management processor 1, and 2b a control unit including control of cross-connect. Reference numeral 3 denotes a control line formed by a common line signaling system for transmitting a control signal between the management processor 1 and each communication device 2 or a management path.

Although FIG. 1 shows only one communication device 2 connected to the management processor 1, it is connected to many other communication devices not shown.

When a terminal of a certain communication device 2 requests a line (path) setting with a terminal of another communication device, a control unit 2b of the communication device 2 in which the terminal is accommodated receives an input / output interface 2a and a control line. 3 is sent to the management processor 1 via the input / output interface 13 of the management processor 1 and stored in the line information storage unit 12c of the memory 12. In the management processor 1, the line allocating unit 11 of the line managing unit 10 is activated, and first, the same TS position allocation presence / absence determining means 11a requests allocation of the same time slot (TS) position on each transmission line for the requested line. Is determined. If no request is made, an empty time slot is sequentially assigned to each transmission line in the same manner as in the prior art. However, if the same TS position is requested, the line (path) requested to be set by the used transmission line information extraction means 11b is used. ) Through each communication device (line information storage unit 12)
c) is extracted from the transmission path information storage unit 12a of the memory 12 and stored in the extraction information storage unit 12b. When the information indicating the use status (vacant / in use) of each time slot of the plurality of transit transmission lines is obtained, the same time slot determination means 11c for all the transmission lines determines that the number of time slots corresponding to the requested band is all It is determined based on each transmission path information in the extraction information storage unit 12b whether there is a vacancy at the same position on the via transmission path, and when a vacancy is detected, a vacant time slot at the same position is allocated to the requested line.

If there is no vacancy at the same position on all-route transmission, the cross-connection-stage-number reducing means 11d is activated. The number-of-stages reduction means 11d via the cross-connect
First, the use status information of each transmission line in the extraction information storage unit 12b is viewed from the transmission line side of the originating terminal and the number of available transmission lines at the same position with the required number of time slots is determined. Look up, and then, from the transmission line side of the communication device of the partner terminal, how many transmission lines have the same position of the required number of time slots (different from the same position of the transmission line of the calling terminal). Check towards the originating communication device. When the number of transmission lines having vacancies at the same position from the terminals at both ends of the requested line is obtained, the number of each transmission line is added to the total number of transmission lines of the requested line (path). If it has reached, an empty time slot at the same position on the calling side and the receiving side is assigned to each via transmission path, and the communication apparatus in which both are switched is assigned to perform cross-connection. If the total number of transit transmission paths is not reached in one cross connect, a plurality of cross connects are performed until the total number of transit transmission paths is reached. Information on the band (time slot) assigned to the transmission line of each communication device constituting the requested line is transmitted from the input / output interface 13 of the management processor 1 to the input / output interface 2a of each communication device 2 via the control line 3. It is supplied to the control unit 2b via the control unit 2b. Each communication device 2
According to the information of the allocated band, control is performed so as to perform cross-connect (switching to change the time slot) or bypass (skip without changing the time slot).

[0014]

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of an embodiment of a communication apparatus. In this embodiment, the transmission path is route M to route M.
The configuration mainly related to the route 1 and the route M will be described with respect to an example in which the number is provided. The connection configuration with the terminal accommodated in the communication device is the same as that of the related art, and is not shown.

In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes an interface (IF) provided corresponding to each route, and reference numeral 21 denotes whether an input signal is bypassed (skipped) in time slot units or via a cross connect (described later). A switch for switching (indicated by SW), 22 is a cross-connect (indicated by XC) having a path switching function including the exchange of time slots, and 23 is a signal selected from the input transmission line in units of time slots to respond. A selector (indicated by SEL) for outputting to the output transmission line of the path to be performed, 24 is a control unit, 25 is a band allocation data storage memory, and 26 is an input / output interface (IF).

The communication device is connected to the management processor 1 (FIG. 1) from the input / output interface 26 via the control line 3 (FIG. 1).
When the management processor receives the information on the line (path) to be set requested from the communication device (the communication device accommodating the terminal on the calling side), the management processor processes the requested line by processing using data described later. When the optimum time slot of each of the configured transmission paths is allocated and notified to each communication apparatus that switches the transmission path, the information is stored in the band allocation data storage memory 25 of the communication apparatus of FIG. The band allocation data storage memory 25 stores data of N output time slots (indicated by outputs TS1 to TSN) constituting the respective output transmission paths of the paths 1 to M according to the data configuration shown in FIG. Have been. The data of each output TS is composed of an input route number, an input TS number, and information of an XC bypass setting for bypassing the cross connect (set when the input TS number matches the TS number of the output route). Is done. The control unit 24 of each communication device controls the switch (SW) 21 and the cross connect (XC) 22 of the input transmission line of each route and controls the selector (SEL) 23 with reference to the band allocation data storage memory 25. To perform exchange control.

FIG. 3 shows information held by the management processor. FIG. Is transmission path information, corresponding to each transmission path (N transmission paths # 1 to #N) provided in each communication device, and a transmission path number and all time slots (TSs) constituting the transmission path. Transmission line information including (# 1 to n) pieces of information. This transmission path information includes, for each time slot, whether the time slot is used or not, and a line number that uses the time slot when used (a line number assigned by the user for communication between terminals). , And the address information of the next time slot in the line.

FIG. Is the line information, which is the information of the user line for which the terminal of the calling user has requested the assignment in order to perform communication with the partner terminal, and when received by the communication device accommodating the terminal of the user, the management processor 1 (FIG. 1) is transmitted via the control line 3 (FIG. 1), and the management processor performs line allocation processing on the line information.
The line information is, for one line, a line number (a number assigned to a user), the same TS allocation valid / invalid (information indicating whether or not to request allocation by the same time slot), and use. Number of time slots to be used (band used), via transmission line numbers # 1 to #m (from the transmission line number of the communication device of the terminal on the transmitting side, the transmission line number of the intermediate via communication device and the transmission of the terminal communication device) Path number).

FIG. 4 shows a processing flow of time slot allocation according to the present invention, which is executed by the management processor using the data shown in FIG.

First, it is determined whether the user line to be allocated is valid or invalid for the same position allocation of the time slot (S1 in FIG. 4). This is shown in FIG. If the line information is set at the beginning of the line information and is set to invalid, the process of searching for an empty space and allocating it in units of transmission lines described in the conventional example is repeated by the number of transmission lines (see FIG. 4 S2). If the same position allocation of the time slots is set to be valid, the usage status of the transmission lines of the user lines is extracted in the order of transmission (S3 in FIG. 4), and all the usage conditions of the extracted transmission lines are ORed (logically Take the sum) (S
4).

FIG. 5 shows the extraction of the use status of the transmission line and the OR
The configuration for taking 30-a in FIG. Corresponds to the transmission path of the via transmission path number # 1 in the line information shown in FIG. 3, and the information on the use status of the transmission path number # 1 is extracted from the transmission path information (A. in FIG. 3) held by the management processor. The information of each time slot (TS # 1 to #n) is set as shown in FIG.
Similarly, information on the status of use of each transmission line number of the transmission transmission line is sequentially extracted, and information up to the transmission transmission line 30 m is set in FIG.

Subsequently, as for the information on the use status of each transmission line in the above figure, the logical sum (OR) of the used / unused information is taken for each time slot (TS), and the respective results are shown in FIG. Is stored in the usage status check area 31 shown in FIG. That is, for the same time slot (TS),
If at least one is used, the result of the disjunction is "use",
If all are unused, the result of the logical sum is “unused”.
Thus, the logical sum of all the time slots TS # 1 to #n is stored in the use status check area.

Returning to the flow of FIG. 4, the check point is moved to the head position of the time slot (TS) (S5 in FIG. 4), and the usage status check area (3 in FIG. 5) is used.
By checking 1), it is determined whether the number of time slots (TS) of the number of time slots (required band) used by the user is empty (unused) (S6 in FIG. 4). If the required number of time slots is not empty, it is determined whether or not all time slots have been checked (S7 in FIG. 4). If the time slots have not been completed, the time slot position of the check point is advanced to the next (the same S8). Make a decision. Here, if it is found that the number of time slots corresponding to the required band is unused, the user line is allocated to the corresponding time slot position and the processing is performed for all the transmission paths (S in FIG. 4).
9).

In S9, for example, when two time slots are used by the user, only one time slot may be allocated to the same position (same time slot) on all transmission paths, and the remaining one time slot is not allocated. It is. In such a case, when it is determined whether all time slots used by the next user line to be allocated have been allocated (S1 in FIG. 4).
0), it is determined that all assignments have not been completed. Also in this case, similarly to the case of NO in S6, it is determined whether or not the search of all the time slots in the transmission path has been completed, and if not completed, the process proceeds to S8 to advance the time slot and advance in S6. A determination is made, but if it has been completed, it is determined whether or not to perform manual assignment (assignment by the conventional method of the operator) (S11 in FIG. 4). If the assignment is manual, the corresponding user line cannot be assigned. Is notified to the operator (S13), and the user (operator) performs a manual allocation process (S14).

If it is determined in step S11 that manual allocation is not performed, a time slot allocation process for reducing the cross-connect function is executed (S12 in FIG. 4). The processing in S12 corresponds to the cross-connect-through-stage-number reducing means 11d in FIG. 1 described above, and details of the contents are shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a processing flow for reducing the cross-connect function, which is executed when there is no time slot assigned to the same position (time slot) on all the transmission paths in the above-mentioned processing of FIG. 5 and manual assignment is not performed. Is done. In this case, the number of transit transmission lines in which the same time slot is continuously vacant from one terminal station (transmission line 30-a side) of the used transmission line shown in each of the transmission lines 30-a to 30-m in FIG. Calculated and implemented for each time slot (S in FIG. 6).
1). Next, the number of transit transmission lines in which the same time slot is continuously vacant is calculated from the other terminal station (the transmission line 30-m side in FIG. 5), and this calculation is performed for each time slot (FIG. 6).
S2). Subsequently, the longest one is selected from both calculation results and added (S3 in FIG. 6), and it is determined whether the result is greater than or equal to the number of transmission lines via the user line (S4).

If they are larger or equal, allocation is performed from one terminal station to a continuous transmission line in which the same time slot is continuously vacant (S5 in FIG. 6). Assignment where the slots are continuously vacant is performed (S6). S4 above
In step S7, if it is found that the addition result does not reach the number of transmission lines of the user line, the assignment is performed for the longest transmission line of each (one terminal side and the other terminal side) (S7). ), Both ends of the remaining transit transmission line are set as terminal stations (S
8), the process (S1) of FIG. 6 is recursively called (S9).

In this way, the number of stages through which the transmission path passes through the cross-connect is reduced.

Next, the operation of allocating the network band according to the present invention will be described with reference to a specific example.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of a network system and an example of a list of user lines. FIG. In the configuration example shown in (1), the communication device is composed of eight of A to H, and the transmission paths are a to
h, and the management processor 1 is connected to each communication device via a communication device A by a control line (for example, a time slot for time division multiplexing control).

A. In the network system shown in FIG. Is shown as a list of user lines. Line number 1 is terminal station A
From the terminal station E to the terminal station E, the transmission transmission lines are a, b, c, and d, and two time slots are used. The line number 2 is also from the terminal station A to the terminal station E, but the transmission paths are a, e, f,
g, h, and d, and the line number 1 is a different route. The line number 3 is a line connecting the terminal station B to the terminal station D. The via transmission lines are b and c, and two time slots are used.
Hereinafter, each line from line number 4 to line number 7 is set via a transmission line as shown in the figure.

FIG. 8 shows line numbers using the time slots of each transmission line. In the network system shown in FIG. 7, when each transmission line is composed of 10 time slots, each transmission line a H indicates the line number of the line used by the line number, and the value of the shaded portion located below each time slot indicates that the line number is used by the line number represented by the numerical value. Represent. That is, the time slots 1 and 2 of the transmission path a
Is used for line number 1, time slots 3 and 4 are used for line number 2, and time slots 5 and 6 are used for line number 5.

An example of the operation when a request to add a user line is issued to the network system using the time slot of the transmission line in the state of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. .

FIGS. 9 and 10 show examples (part 1) and (part 2) of assigning additional user lines to the same time slot position.

FIG. Is the user line to be added, line number 8 and the transmission line between terminal stations A and E is a,
In b, c, and d, two time slots are used. On the other hand, step S3 of the flow shown in FIG. As shown in (1), the usage status of the time slots of the via transmission lines a, b, c, and d is obtained.

Next, FIG. Is B. in FIG. The use status of the four transmission lines shown in FIG.
By taking OR in all of the steps 4, it can be seen that the time slots 7 and 8 are vacant over all the transmission paths, and the number of time slots used by the line number 8 is two. To the user line number 8
Indicates the state assigned to. B. of FIG. Is a control state (via the switch 21 in FIG. 2) for each communication device (station) via the cross-connect or bypass (skip) for the line of the line number 8 thus allocated.
Indicates a control state of whether the cross connect 22 is passed or bypassed. In addition, the station A and the station E accommodating the terminal station are always connected to the transmission line via the cross connect (XC). In the examples shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the line number 8 to be added is the time slot 7, 8 at the same position in all the transmission lines a to d. Can be minimized.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show examples (part 1) and (part 2) of assigning additional user lines to different time slot positions.

FIG. Indicates that the user line to be added is line number 8, and between the terminal station A and the terminal station H is a transmission line a.
e, f, and g represent that two time slots are used. On the other hand, step S3 in the flow shown in FIG. As shown in, the transmission paths a, e, f,
The time slot usage of g is obtained.

Next, FIG. If the use states of the four transmission lines shown in FIG. 4 are ORed in step S4 of the flow shown in FIG. By executing the flow, the portion where the same time slot position is continuously vacant as viewed from the terminal station A is calculated (S in FIG. 6).
1). Thus, it can be seen that the time slots 7 and 8 are free for one transmission path (transmission path a), and the time slots 9 and 10 are free for two transmission paths (transmission path a and transmission path e). In addition, terminal station H
Then, a portion where the same time slot position is continuously vacant is calculated (S2 in FIG. 6). In this case, it can be seen that time slots 5 and 6 are vacant for three transmission paths. Therefore,
The longest transmission path number when viewed from the terminal station A is 2, the longest transmission path number when viewed from the terminal station H is 3, and the total of the two is 5,
It is understood that the user line can be set by using the cross connect function once.

FIG. Indicates the use status of the time slot of each of the transmission lines a, e, f, and g after the addition of the line number 8 allocated in this manner. Time slots 9 and 10 are assigned to a and e, and time slots 5 and 6 are assigned to transmission lines f and g.

FIG. Is A. Indicates the control state of each communication device (station) via the cross-connect or bypass (skip) for the user line of the line number 8 allocated as shown in FIG. Although the station passes through the connect (XC), the stations A and G of the other relay stations pass through the bypass route without passing through the cross connect, and the number of stages passing through the cross connect can be minimized.

[0042]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained in a network system accommodating a user line constituted by a plurality of communication devices, a transmission line, and a processor for managing the network.

(1) When many user lines pass through communication devices in a network, the same time slot position is used in the passing transmission line to reduce the relay delay time due to the cross-connect function in the communication device. it can.

(2) When the time slots are already used and the time slot positions cannot be made the same for all the transmission paths through which the time slots are used, it is possible to set the logarithm for executing the cross connect processing to be minimized.

(3) For a user line for which the relay delay time is not so strict, there is no need to make the time slot positions the same between the transmission paths, so that manual setting can be selected as in the conventional case.

(4) As a result of automatically setting the bandwidth allocation for each user line, if the number of times of cross-connect processing is output to a form or the like, it is possible to predict the relay delay time from the number of times. It can be expected to support system design.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a principle configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a communication device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating information held by a management processor.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow of time slot allocation according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration for extracting a use status of a via transmission line and performing an OR operation.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing flow for reducing a cross-connect function.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a network system and an example of a list of user lines.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing line numbers using time slots of each transmission line.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example (part 1) of allocating additional user lines to the same time slot position.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example (part 2) of allocating additional user lines to the same time slot position.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example (part 1) of allocating additional user lines to different time slot positions.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example (part 2) of assigning additional user lines to different time slot positions.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional network system.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 management processor 10 line management unit 11 line allocation unit 11a identical time slot (TS) position assignment presence / absence determining means 11b used transmission path information extracting means 11c identical transmission time slot (TS) determination means 11d means for reducing the number of stages via cross-connect 12 Memory 12a Transmission line information storage unit 12b Extracted information storage unit 12c Line information storage unit 13 Input / output interface 2 Communication device 2a Input / output interface 2b Control unit 3 Control line

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hisaaki Nakajima 3-9-118 Shin-Yokohama, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fujitsu Communication Systems Limited (72) Inventor Junichi Aida Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture 4-chome 1-1 Fujitsu Limited F-term (reference) 5K028 LL02 LL12 LL42 RR01 RR02 SS23 SS24 5K069 AA15 BA05 CB04 CB08 FA26

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A communication device for accommodating a plurality of time-division multiplex transmission lines comprising a plurality of time slots and performing exchange control is connected to each other by a transmission line, and provided in common for each communication device. In a network system having a management processor for performing bandwidth management of a communication device, a transmission line information storage unit storing the usage status of each transmission line time slot in the management processor, and line information for requesting a line setting from the communication device. When the occurrence occurs, a line allocating unit for allocating a line is provided. The line allocating unit extracts the information on the usage status of all the transmission lines from the transmission line information storage unit and checks the usage status of each extracted transmission line. If it is detected that the number of time slots corresponding to the band requested from the information is unused in all the transmission paths, the detected number of time slots is assigned to the requested number of time slots. A network bandwidth management method characterized by assigning to all via transmission lines for specified lines. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein
For the extracted information on the status of use of all via transmission lines, the logical sum of the use / empty information of the same time slot is calculated, and the number of time slots at the same position corresponding to the band requested from the result of the logical sum is determined. A network bandwidth management method characterized by detecting whether or not there is free space. 3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein
If it is not detected from the result of the logical sum that the number of time slots corresponding to the requested band is unused in all the transmission paths, the information on the usage status of each of the extracted transmission paths is transmitted to the line. From the transmission line at one end of the information to the other end, it is detected how many consecutive transmission lines in which the requested number of time slots at the same position are unused are present and the other end of the line information is detected. The number of time-slots in which the requested number of time slots at the same position are unused from the transmission path of the above-mentioned one is detected continuously, and the number of the transmission paths is calculated. When the number has reached the number of transmission lines of the requested line information, a time slot corresponding to the determined position of each transmission line is allocated. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the requested line information is provided with information indicating whether an allocation request at the same time slot position is valid or invalid. The information indicating whether the allocation request at the same time slot position is valid or invalid is identified. If the information is set to be valid, the allocation control described in claim 1 or 2 is performed, and the setting is invalidated. A network bandwidth management method characterized by allocating a required number of empty time slots in the order of via transmission paths.