JP2002314589A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system where a subscriber reserves a required band so as to make incoming transmission without being affected by incoming transmission made by another subscriber even in a layer 2 block without any band warrant function. SOLUTION: Home Gateways HGW 7-1 to 7-N request a QoS management server 50 for a band and a time desirably to be reserved and transmit packets to an access network within a range of the requested band and time when the request is permitted. When the QoS management server 50 permits the request by the HGW, the server 50 selects the sum of bands assigned to the other HGW than the HGW making the request to be a band resulting from subtracting the band requested by the HGW from the bands to be assigned to all the HGW 7-1 to 7-N or below.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a QoS (Qual
The present invention relates to a communication system that performs guarantee of quality of service (quality of service).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional technologies related to QoS guarantee include:
For example, there is “Packet Multiplexer and Communication Method” in JP-A-2000-13434.

[0003] First, before describing this conventional technique, a layer (layer) in the OSI reference model will be briefly described. In the OSI reference model, an application layer (layer 7), a presentation layer (layer 6), a session layer (layer 5),
It defines seven layers: a transport layer (layer 4), a network layer (layer 3), a data link layer (layer 2), and a physical layer (layer 1). Note that the present invention can be applied to a layer based on another protocol such as TCP / IP.

[0004] The above-mentioned prior art is based on a passive double star (Passive Double Star).
FTTH (fiber to the hom)
e) An access network that provides a system (hereinafter referred to as a “PDS-FTTH system”) and provides fairness to each house.

[0005] Here, FTTH is a system in which a subscriber line section is connected to a subscriber's house by an optical fiber.

Hereinafter, the communication direction from the station side to the subscriber side is “down”, and the communication direction from the subscriber side to the station side is “up”.
Call.

[0007] In this prior art, the allocation of the upstream band at the layer 2 level is performed so that each subscriber becomes fair, and the fairness is guaranteed.

[0008]

However, in this prior art, for example, when 10 Mbps is shared by 32 subscribers, if all 32 subscribers simultaneously transmit in the uplink direction, 1 Mbps is used. 384 per subscriber
Only kbps can be allocated.

For this reason, when a certain subscriber is transmitting MPEG video of about several Mbps and another subscriber simultaneously performs transmission requiring a large bandwidth, the MP
The bandwidth of the subscriber transmitting the EG video is also fairly narrowed.

[0010] As a result, the MPEG video packet being transmitted is discarded by the optical network unit (ONU) in the layer 2 section, and it is difficult to perform good video transmission. There was a problem. This problem occurs not only in video transmission such as MPEG but also when transmission requiring a large bandwidth is performed.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention provides a method for securing a necessary band for a subscriber even in a layer 2 section without a bandwidth guarantee function, without being affected by uplink transmission performed by another subscriber. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system capable of performing transmission.

[0012]

According to the present invention, in a communication system in which a plurality of subscriber-side gateways and a server are connected via an access network, the subscriber-side gateway requests the server for a band to be reserved. If the request is granted, the packet is sent to the access network within the requested bandwidth, and if the request from the subscriber gateway is permitted, the server sends a packet other than the requesting gateway. The total bandwidth allocated to the subscriber gateway of the subscriber is the bandwidth allocated to all of the subscriber gateways, including the subscriber gateway that made the request, minus the bandwidth requested by the subscriber gateway. It should be below the band.

According to this configuration, if the request for securing the bandwidth of the subscriber-side gateway is permitted, the requested bandwidth can always be secured, and the remaining bandwidth is allocated to the other subscriber-side gateways.

As a result, even in the layer 2 section without the bandwidth guarantee function, the subscriber can secure the necessary bandwidth and receive the uplink transmission without being affected by the uplink transmission performed by another subscriber. It can be carried out.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In a communication system according to the present invention, a plurality of subscriber gateways and a server are connected via an access network. Request to the server, and if the request is granted, send the packet to the access network within the requested bandwidth. If the server grants the request from the subscriber side gateway, the server Total bandwidth allocated to the subscriber side gateways other than the
From the bandwidth allocated to all of the subscriber gateways including the subscriber gateway that made the request,
The bandwidth should be less than or equal to the bandwidth requested by the subscriber side gateway.

According to this configuration, if a request for securing the bandwidth of the subscriber side gateway is permitted, the requested bandwidth can always be secured, and the remaining bandwidth is allocated to the other subscriber side gateways.

As a result, even in the layer 2 section without the bandwidth guarantee function, the subscriber can secure the necessary bandwidth and receive the uplink transmission without being affected by the uplink transmission performed by other subscribers. It can be carried out.

In the communication system according to the second aspect, when the server permits a request for a band to be secured from the subscriber side gateway, if the server has already permitted a request from another subscriber side gateway, The total amount of bandwidth allocated to the subscriber gateway excluding the subscriber gateway that allows the request and other subscriber gateways that have already granted the request is equal to the total bandwidth allocated to the subscriber gateway that allows the request. The bandwidth should be equal to or less than the bandwidth obtained by subtracting the bandwidth that permits the request and the bandwidth that has already permitted the request from the bandwidth allocated to the entire plurality of subscriber gateways including the other subscriber gateway that is permitted. To

According to this configuration, even when a request for securing a bandwidth of a certain subscriber side gateway is newly granted, the bandwidth of the subscriber side gateway for which the request for securing the bandwidth has already been granted is not narrowed, and the upstream bandwidth is not reduced. Transmission in the direction can be performed favorably.

In the communication system according to the third aspect, when requesting a band to be reserved from the server, the subscriber side gateway requests a time to reserve the band in addition to the band to be reserved, and the request is permitted. If so, send the packet to the access network within the requested time,
When the server grants the request from the subscriber gateway, if the time requested by the subscriber gateway has elapsed, the server allocates the bandwidth to each of the plurality of subscriber gateways including the subscriber gateway that made the request. Is the band assigned to each of the requests before granting the request.

According to this configuration, if the request for the band securing time of the subscriber side gateway is permitted, the requested time can always be secured.

As a result, the subscriber can transmit in the upstream direction while securing the necessary time without being affected by the uplink transmission performed by another subscriber.

On the other hand, for the subscriber side gateway which has not requested the bandwidth reservation, it is possible to prevent the subscriber side gateway which has requested the bandwidth reservation for a long time, and
Smooth transmission can be performed.

In the communication system according to the fourth aspect, the subscriber-side gateway permitted to request the band to be reserved from the server notifies the server when the requested band becomes unnecessary when the requested band becomes unnecessary. The server that has received the notification allocates the bandwidth to be assigned to each of the plurality of subscriber gateways including the notifying subscriber gateway before granting the request for the bandwidth to be reserved from the subscriber gateway. Band.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent a state in which a band that has become unnecessary and is not used is kept from continuing, and the band can be used effectively.

In the communication system according to the fifth aspect, when congestion occurs in a subscriber gateway other than the subscriber gateway to which a request for a bandwidth to be secured from the server is permitted, packets of a low priority class are transmitted. Discard.

[0027] With this configuration, in the subscriber-side gateway that has not made a request for securing a band, it is possible to avoid discarding a packet of a high priority class, so that deterioration of communication can be suppressed as much as possible.

In the communication system according to the sixth aspect, the server which has received the request for the bandwidth to be secured from the subscriber side gateway, if the request is permitted, the subscriber side gateway other than the requesting subscriber side gateway. Is determined in consideration of the current state of the subscriber side gateway which is connected to the access network and is active.

According to this configuration, the active subscriber gateway and the inactive subscriber are allocated to the inactive subscriber gateways that do not currently need to use the bandwidth by allocating the minimum necessary bandwidth. As compared to the case where the bandwidth is allocated without distinguishing from the side gateway, a larger bandwidth can be allocated to the active subscriber side gateway that currently needs to use the band. As a result, the band can be used effectively.

In the communication system according to the present invention, the server that has already permitted the request for the band to be reserved from the subscriber side gateway is configured to increase or decrease the number of active subscriber side gateways connected to the access network. If there is, the bandwidth allocated to the subscriber gateway other than the subscriber gateway that has already permitted the request is changed to the bandwidth determined in consideration of the current state of the subscriber gateway.

With this configuration, even when the number of active subscriber gateways increases or decreases, the bandwidth to be allocated to the subscriber gateways other than the subscriber gateway that has issued the bandwidth reservation request is dynamically changed. Since it is changed, the band can be used more effectively.

In the communication system according to the present invention, when the subscriber gateway connects to the access network and becomes active, the subscriber gateway notifies the server to that effect, and
When the connection to the access network is terminated and the access network becomes inactive, the server is notified of the fact, and the server receives the notification, and the currently active subscriber gateway and the currently inactive status. Identify the subscriber gateway that is set to

According to this configuration, the currently active subscriber side gateway and the currently inactive subscriber side gateway can be quickly grasped.

In the communication system according to the ninth aspect, the server has information on a band previously reserved by the subscriber-side gateway in response to a request, and receives the request for a band to be reserved from the subscriber-side gateway. When determining whether to permit the request, the subscriber's gateway that has made the request considers information on the bandwidth previously secured by the request.

With this configuration, it is possible to avoid a situation where one subscriber continuously and exclusively uses the band from the past to the present.

In the communication system according to the tenth aspect, the server has information on the time when the subscriber side gateway has previously reserved the band by the request, and receives the request for the band to be reserved from the subscriber side gateway. When determining whether or not the request is permitted, the server that has made the request considers information on the time when the subscriber side gateway that has made the request has previously reserved a bandwidth by request.

With this configuration, it is possible to avoid a situation where one subscriber secures a band for a long time from the past to the present.

In the communication system according to the eleventh aspect, the server charges a fee according to the bandwidth previously reserved by the subscriber side gateway by the request.

[0039] With this configuration, a subscriber who requests bandwidth reservation and is not permitted, and a subscriber who does not request bandwidth reservation, and a subscriber who requests bandwidth reservation and is permitted,
Fairness in terms of fees is achieved.

Further, the request for securing the band is not made more than necessary, and the monopoly of the band by a specific subscriber can be suppressed. Furthermore, for the service provider, more compensation can be obtained as compensation for the bandwidth guarantee.

In the communication system according to the twelfth aspect, the server charges a fee in accordance with the time when the subscriber side gateway has previously reserved the bandwidth by request.

According to this configuration, a subscriber who requests a bandwidth reservation time and is not permitted, and a subscriber who does not request the bandwidth reservation time, and a subscriber who requests the bandwidth reservation time and is permitted, Fairness in terms of fees is achieved.

Further, the request for the bandwidth securing time is not made longer than necessary, and it is possible to prevent a specific subscriber from securing the bandwidth for a long time. Further, for the service provider, more compensation can be obtained as compensation for securing time.

Hereinafter, a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition,
The communication direction from the office to the subscriber is called "down", and the communication direction from the subscriber to the office is called "up".

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This communication system constitutes a PDS-FTTH system.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, this communication system is an optical line terminal side communication device (hereinafter, referred to as "OL").
T ". 1.) It comprises an access router 10 and a QoS management server 50.

The OLT 1 installed on the station side includes a cross connect (hereinafter referred to as “XC”) 3, a router I / F 4,
And a plurality of optical network units (hereinafter referred to as "OS
U ". 2-1) to 2-n. Note that n is a natural number, for example, 16.

The QoS management server 50 connected to the access router 10 has a QoS information management means 51 and a QoS reception processing means 52.

The communication system includes a plurality of OSUs.
A plurality of star couplers (hereinafter, referred to as “SC”) 5-1 to 5-n are provided corresponding to 2-1 to 2-n.

Further, in this communication system, one S
A plurality of optical network unit terminating devices (hereinafter, referred to as “ONUs”) 6-1 to 6-N are provided for C5-1. For a plurality of ONUs 6-1 to 6-N, a plurality of home gateways (hereinafter, referred to as "HGW") 7-1.
7-N and a plurality of subscriber terminals 8-1 to 8-N. Note that N is a natural number, for example, 32
It is. Each of the HGWs 7-1 to 7-N has a Qo
It has an S request unit 30 and a packet control unit 40.

Similarly, for each of the other SCs 5-2 to 5-n, a plurality of ONUs 6-1 to 6-N and a plurality of HGs
W7-1 to 7-N and a plurality of subscriber side terminals 8-1 to
8-N are provided.

The ONUs 6-1 to 6-N, HGW7-
1 to 7-N and the subscriber terminals 8-1 to 8-N are installed in the subscriber homes 20-1 to 20-N.

Here, "OLT" means "Optical".
Line Terminal ”and“ OS
"U" stands for "Optical Subscriber U
"ONU" means "Optica"
l Network Unit ”. HGW
7-1 to 7-N correspond to the subscriber side gateway.

Next, the connection relation will be described. The transmission path from one OSU 2-1 is split into a plurality of transmission paths by the corresponding SC5-1. The plurality of ONUs 6-1 to 6-N are connected to the plurality of transmission paths.

The other OSUs 2-2 to 2-n and ONU 6-
The relationship with 1 to 6-N is the same. OLT1 and OLT
The transmission path between the NUs 6-1 to 6-N is constituted by an optical fiber.

With the PDS-FTTH system having the above network configuration, the station and the subscriber's home are connected at the layer 2 level in terms of the network.

The access router 10 is connected to a plurality of OSUs 2-1 to 2-n via the router I / F4 and XC3. That is, the transmission path from the access router 10 to the OLT 1 is branched into a plurality of transmission paths by the XC3.
The plurality of transmission paths include a plurality of OSUs 2-1 to
2-n are connected.

The access router 10 is connected to the QoS management server 50. Note that the access router 10 and the QoS management server 50 may be integrated instead of providing the access router 10 and the QoS management server 50 separately.

The HGWs 7-1 to 7-N and the subscriber terminal 8
-1 to 8-N are connected by home networks 9-1 to 9-N.

Next, an outline of the function and operation of each component will be described. The OSUs 2-1 to 2-n in the OLT 1 convert an optical signal and an electric signal. The XC3 multiplexes / demultiplexes signals. The router I / F 4 is an input / output interface for connecting to the access router 10.

Here, the “station-side communication device including the station-side terminating device” is used on the station side in a general LAN or the like from the transmission system (FTTH or xDSL) used in the access network. Transmission method (mainly Ethe
rnet), and in particular, an optical line terminal or an optical communication device used for a subscriber line using an optical fiber is called an OSU or an OLT.

An access network generally refers to a network (line) that connects a subscriber's home and a network of a telecommunications carrier, but connects the subscriber's home to a communication facility center (telephone station) of the nearest telecommunications carrier. It may be a network.

In FIG. 1, at the layer 2 level, the access network is a subscriber home 20-1 to 20-N.
6-1 to 6-N to the OLT 1 of the station building, and at the layer 3 level, the subscriber premises 20-1 to 20-N
7-1 to 7-N to access router 10 in the office
Up to.

The access router 10 transmits and receives packets in the access network at the layer 3 level,
Packets are exchanged between the access network and the WAN (backbone network, other access router).

The HGW 7- at the subscriber premises 20-1 to 20-N
1 to 7-N exchange packets at the layer 3 level between the home networks 9-1 to 9-N and the access network. The ONUs 6-1 to 6-N perform conversion between an optical signal and an electric signal.

Here, the “subscriber-side terminating device” is used in a subscriber (user) home, from a transmission system (FTTH or xDSL) used in an access network to a transmission system (FTTH or xDSL) used in a general LAN or the like. Mainly Ethernet
ET), in particular, a subscriber terminating device used for a subscriber line using an optical fiber is turned on.
Called U.

The access router 10 and the HGW as described above
By providing 7-1 to 7-N, it is possible to connect the home networks 9-1 to 9-N, the access network, and the WAN at the layer 3 level.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the access router 10 of FIG. As shown in FIG.
Is a forwarding module 11, an access network input I / F 12, an access network output I / F 13, and a WAN output I / F 13.
/ F14, WAN input I / F15, server input I / F1
6 and a server output I / F 17. Access network output I
/ F13 includes QoS packet processing means 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, the access network input I / F
12 and the access network output I / F 13 are OL
This is an input / output interface for connecting to T1.

The WAN input I / F 15 and the WAN output I / F
F14 is a WAN (wide area n)
network) for connection to the network. Server input I / F16 and server output I / F1
Reference numeral 7 denotes an input / output interface for connecting to the QoS management server.

The forwarding module 11 includes an access network input I / F 12, an access network output I / F 13,
Packets are exchanged between a plurality of input / output interfaces such as an AN input I / F 15, a WAN output I / F 14, a server input I / F 16, and a server output I / F 17.

FIG. 3 shows the QoS packet processing means 2 of FIG.
2 is a block diagram of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the QoS packet processing unit 22 includes a QoS class classification unit 23, a queue module 24, and a scheduler 25. The queue module 24 includes three queues 26, 27, 28.

The QoS class classifying means 23 classifies the packets by priority class by looking at the packet header information. That is, the QoS class classification means 23 classifies the received packets by class according to the priority.

The three queues 26, 27, and 28 in the queue module 24 temporarily store the packets classified by the QoS class classification means 23 for each class, and output the packets in the order of input.

The queue 26 stores high-priority packets, the queue 27 stores medium-priority packets, and the queue 28 stores low-priority packets.

The scheduler 25 considers the priority of the class and takes the next packet to be output into three queues 26,
Select from 27 and 28.

Then, the scheduler 25 schedules and outputs packets within the output rate of the output line of the access network. However, when the rate of packets input to the queue module 24 exceeds the output rate, congestion occurs in the queue module 24.

In such a congestion state, the scheduler 25 preferentially outputs the high-priority class packet and discards the low-priority packet so that the high-priority class packet is not discarded.

Thus, the scheduler 25 performs QoS control in the access router 10 at the time of congestion.

Next, the operation will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 and a communication procedure diagram. FIG. 4 shows Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
It is a communication procedure figure of the communication system in FIG. This communication procedure diagram shows a communication procedure when a subscriber requests a band to be reserved and a time to reserve the band.

In the description of FIG. 4, O in FIG.
Focusing on the HGWs 7-1 to 7-N connected to the SU 2-1, an example is given in which the HGW 7-1 of the subscriber home 20-1 requests a band to be reserved and a time to reserve a band.

When the subscriber wants to secure a certain band and time in the access network to perform uplink communication, as shown in FIG. 4, the QoS of the HGW 7-1 is increased.
The request unit 30 transmits a “bandwidth request message” to the QoS reception processing unit 52 of the QoS management server 50.

The "bandwidth request message" includes information on the bandwidth (for example, 2 Mbps) that the subscriber wants to secure and information on the time (for example, 10 minutes) for which the subscriber wants to secure the bandwidth.

That is, the QoS requesting means 30 transmits a “bandwidth request message” to the QoS reception processing means 52 to request the bandwidth to be reserved and the time to reserve the bandwidth.

The QoS reception processing means 52 of the QoS management server 50 receives the “bandwidth request message” from the QoS requesting means 30.

Then, the QoS reception processing means 52
The “bandwidth usage information” of the S information management unit 51 is checked to determine whether or not the request from the QoS requesting unit 30 is permitted.
This “band use information” is currently used for each of the HGWs 7-1 to 7-
This is information on the band allocated to N.

As a result of checking the “bandwidth usage information”, if it is determined that the request from the QoS requesting means 30 can be permitted,
The QoS reception processing unit 52 transmits a “bandwidth limit message” for limiting the bandwidth used to the packet control units 40 of the HGWs 7-2 to 7-N other than the HGW 7-1 that has transmitted the “bandwidth request message”.

The "bandwidth limit message" is the HGW 7-2 to 7-N which has not transmitted the "bandwidth request message".
In contrast, the total used bandwidth of the HGWs 7-2 to 7-N is
This is information instructing to be equal to or less than a value obtained by subtracting the bandwidth required by the HGW 7-1 from the shared bandwidth of the HGWs 7-1 to 7-N.

For example, in the “bandwidth limit message”, each HGW not transmitting the “bandwidth request message”
For 7-2 to 7-N, (shared bandwidth-requested bandwidth) /
It is conceivable to allocate the band calculated as (N-1).

Here, the “shared band” refers to the OSU 2-1
Are assigned to the entirety of the HGWs 7-1 to 7-N connected to the HGWs 7-1 to 7-N.
Will share and use this shared band.

The "requested bandwidth" is the bandwidth requested by the HGW 7-1, and the "N-1" is the HGW 7-2 to 7- other than the HGW 7-1 that transmitted the "bandwidth request message".
N number.

For example, in the “bandwidth limit message”, each H that does not transmit the “bandwidth request message”
For the GWs 7-2 to 7-N, (shared bandwidth-requested bandwidth)
Can be conceived to allocate the data in a gradient according to the priority order defined for each HGW.

The packet control means 40 of the HGWs 7-2 to 7-N which have not transmitted the "bandwidth request message"
Receives the “bandwidth limit message” from the QoS reception processing unit 52.

The packet control means 40 that has received the “bandwidth limit message” sets the bandwidth to be used within the range restricted by the “bandwidth limit message”.

Then, the packet control means 40
A “bandwidth limitation completion message” is transmitted to the QoS reception processing unit 52 of the management server 50. The “bandwidth limit completion message” is information that notifies the QoS reception processing unit 52 that the setting for limiting the bandwidth used has been completed.

Thereafter, the packet control means 40 of the HGWs 7-2 to 7-N outputs the packets to the corresponding ONUs 6-2 to 6-N within the limited use band.

Each of the HGWs 7-
In 2-7-N, each home network 9-2-9-
If the rate of packets output from N to the access network is greater than the restricted bandwidth used, and congestion occurs in the packet control means 40, the packet control means 40 sends information on the priority class attached to the IP packet. Look at the bits and discard packets from lower priority classes.

As a result, in the HGWs 7-2 to 7 -N that have not transmitted the “bandwidth request message”, it is possible to avoid discarding a packet of a high priority class, thereby minimizing the deterioration of communication.

On the other hand, the QoS reception processing means 52
A “bandwidth limit completion message” is received from the packet control unit 40.

Then, the QoS reception processing means 52 transmits a “request permission message”, which is information notifying that the request is permitted, to the QoS requesting means 30 of the HGW 7-1 which transmitted the “bandwidth request message”. I do.

The QoS reception processing means 52 that has transmitted the “request permission message” updates the bandwidth usage information of the QoS information management means 51.

HGW that has received “Request Permission Message”
The QoS request unit 30 of 7-1 notifies the packet control unit 40 of the HGW 7-1 that the request has been granted.

The packet control means 40 outputs a packet to the ONU 6-1 within the secured (requested) band during the secured (requested) time.

When the time secured (requested) by the HGW 7-1 has elapsed, the QoS reception processing means 52 of the QoS management server 50 transmits a “packet control change message” to the HGWs 7-1 to 7-N. I do.

This “packet control change message” is
Before allowing the request from the HGW 7-1, the HGW 7-1
To 7-N are assigned to the HGW 7-1.
To 7-N. That is, the “packet control change message” is HGW7-1 to 7-N
This is information instructing the HGW 7-1 to return to the state before permitting the request from the HGW 7-1.

When the time secured by the HGW 7-1 has elapsed, the QoS reception processing means 52 of the QoS management server 50 updates the bandwidth use information of the QoS information management means 51.

In the above example, H connected to OSU 2-1
This is a communication procedure when the HGW 7-1 transmits a "bandwidth request message" in a state where no "bandwidth request message" is transmitted from any of the GWs 7-1 to 7-N.

As a next example, among the HGWs 7-1 to 7 -N connected to the OSU 2-1, when the HGW 7-2 has already transmitted the “bandwidth request message” and the request is permitted, -1 transmits a "bandwidth request message".

In this case, the QoS reception processing means 52
HGW7-3 not transmitting "bandwidth request message"
To "7-N" is transmitted.

In this “bandwidth limit message”, the QoS reception processing means 52 determines that the total bandwidth used by the HGWs 7-3 to 7-N is greater than the HGWs 7-3 to 7-N.
From the shared bands of 7-1 to 7-N, HGWs 7-1 and 7-2
Is less than or equal to the value obtained by subtracting the requested bandwidth. Other communication procedures are the same as in the above-described example.

When a “bandwidth request message” from a plurality of HGWs has already been permitted, another HGW
The communication procedure when the "bandwidth request message" is transmitted from the HGW is also the "bandwidth request message" from one HGW.
Is the same as when a “bandwidth request message” is transmitted from another HGW.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the HGW 7-2. As shown in FIG. 5, the HGW 7-2 includes a QoS request unit 30 and a packet control unit 40.

The packet control means 40 includes a QoS class classification means 41, a queue module 42, and a scheduler 43.
And a shaper 44. The queue module 42
Queues 45, 46 and 47 are included.

Next, these operations will be described. In the description of these operations, OSU2-
HGW7-1 to 7-N connected to
The case where the “bandwidth request message” transmitted by 7-1 is permitted will be described as an example. Then, the process after the HGW 7-2 receives the “bandwidth limit message” will be described.

The QoS class classifying means 41 classifies the packets received from the home network 9-2 according to priority classes by looking at the packet header information.

The three queues 45, 46, 47 in the queue module 42 temporarily store the packets classified by the QoS class classification means 41 for each class, and output the packets in the order of input.

The queue 45 stores high-priority packets, the queue 46 stores medium-priority packets, and the queue 47 stores low-priority packets.

The scheduler 43 considers the priority of the class and takes the next packet to be output into three queues 45,
46 and 47, and the selected packet is
Output to 4.

The shaper 44 outputs the packet received from the scheduler 43 to the ONU 6-2 using the used band within the range restricted by the “bandwidth limit message”.

In this case, when the rate of the packet input from the scheduler 43 is larger than the restricted bandwidth and congestion occurs in the shaper 44, the shaper 44 transmits the priority class of the priority class attached to the IP packet. Look at the information bits and discard packets of lower priority class. The configuration of the other HGWs 7-1 and 7-3 to 7-N is the same as that of the HGW 7-2 in FIG.

Now, the above communication procedure in FIG.
This is a communication procedure in the case of permitting a request from the HGW 7-1 using a “bandwidth request message”. Hereinafter, a communication procedure in the case where a request is not permitted will be described.

FIG. 6 is a communication procedure diagram in a case where a request from the HGW 7-1 by a “bandwidth request message” is not permitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the QoS management server 50
Of the HGW 7-1 receives the “bandwidth request message” from the QoS requesting unit 30 of the HGW 7-1.

Then, this QoS reception processing means 52
The “bandwidth usage information” of the QoS information management unit 51 is checked to determine whether or not the request from the QoS requesting unit 30 is permitted.

As a result of the confirmation of the “bandwidth usage information”, if it is determined that the request from the QoS requesting means 30 cannot be permitted, the QoS reception processing means 52 informs that the request is not permitted. Authorization message "
It is transmitted to the QoS request means 30 of W7-1.

To summarize the above, as shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the HGW 7-1 requests the QoS management server 50 for a band to be secured (“bandwidth request message”). If the request is granted, the packet is sent to the access network within the requested bandwidth.

On the other hand, the QoS management server 50
-1 request, the HGW that made the request
The total of the bandwidths allocated to the HGWs 7-2 to 7-N other than the 7-1 is the bandwidth (requested bandwidth) requested by the HGW 7-1 from the bandwidth (shared bandwidth) allocated to the entire HGWs 7-1 to 7-N. ) Is set to be equal to or less than the bandwidth (“bandwidth limit message”).

With this configuration, if the request for securing the bandwidth of the HGW 7-1 is permitted, the requested bandwidth can always be secured.
Moreover, the remaining bands are allocated to the other HGWs 7-2 to 7-N.

Therefore, even if other HGWs 7-2 to 7-N start transmission in the upstream direction while HGW 7-1 is executing transmission in the upstream direction, the HGW 7-1 -1 is narrowed down, and the ONU 6-1 in the layer 2 section does not discard packets, and the HGW 7-1 can perform favorable transmission.

In other words, even in the layer 2 section without the bandwidth guarantee function, the subscriber performs the uplink transmission while securing the necessary bandwidth without being affected by the uplink transmission performed by other subscribers. be able to.

Further, the QoS management server 50
In the case where a request for a band to be secured from -1 is permitted, if a request from another HGW 7-2 has already been permitted, the HGW 7-1 permitting the request and the other HGW 7 already permitting the request are permitted. HGW7-3 to 7-N excluding -2
Are assigned to the HGWs 7-1 to 7-
N from the band (shared band) allocated to the entire N
The bandwidth is set to be equal to or less than the bandwidth obtained by subtracting the bandwidth permitted to W7-1 and the bandwidth already permitted to another HGW 7-2.

With this configuration, even when a request for securing a bandwidth of the HGW 7-1 is newly granted, the bandwidth of the HGW 7-2 for which a request for securing a bandwidth has already been granted is not narrowed, and transmission in the uplink direction is not performed. Can be performed favorably.

Further, when requesting the bandwidth to be reserved from the QoS management server 50, the HGW 7-1 requests the time for which the bandwidth is to be reserved in addition to the bandwidth to be reserved ("Band request message" in FIG. 4). ).

According to this configuration, if a request for the bandwidth securing time of the HGW 7-1 is permitted, the requested time can always be secured.

As a result, the subscriber can perform the uplink transmission while securing the necessary time without being affected by the uplink transmission performed by another subscriber.

On the other hand, the QoS management server 50
When the time requested by the HGW 7-1 elapses when the request of the HGW 7-1 is permitted, the bandwidth to be allocated to each of the HGWs 7-1 to 7-N is allocated to the HGW 7-1 before the request is permitted. (The "packet control change message" in FIG. 4).

With this configuration, it is possible for the HGWs 7-2 to 7-N, which have not made a request for securing a band, to prevent the HGW 7-1 which has made a request for securing a band from securing a long-term band, and to perform smooth transmission. Can be.

In the following, three examples are given as modified examples of the communication system according to the first embodiment. The overall configuration of these modified examples is the same as that of the communication system of FIG. 1, and the access router, QoS packet processing means and HGW of this modified example are also the access router 10 of FIG. 2, the QoS packet processing means 22 of FIG. HGW7- in FIG.
Same as 2. Therefore, these drawings are used in the description of the modification.

First, a first modification of the present embodiment will be described. It should be noted that this modified example is the first embodiment.
The main difference from this is that it does not require time to secure a band.

FIG. 7 is a communication procedure diagram of a first modification of the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition,
In the description of FIG. 7, similarly to the description of FIG. 4, the HGW 7-1 of the subscriber home 20-1 focuses on the HGWs 7-1 to 7-N connected to the OSU 2-1 of FIG. Is required as an example.

When the subscriber wants to secure a certain band in the access network and perform uplink communication, as shown in FIG. 7, the QoS requesting means 30 of the HGW 7-1 sends the QoS request of the QoS management server 50. Reception processing means 5
2 transmits a “bandwidth request message”.

This "bandwidth request message" includes information on the bandwidth (for example, 2 Mbps) that the subscriber wants to secure.

That is, the QoS requesting means 30 transmits a “bandwidth request message” to the QoS reception processing means 52 to request a bandwidth to be secured.

The QoS reception processing means 52 of the QoS management server 50 receives the “bandwidth request message” from the QoS requesting means 30.

Then, the QoS acceptance processing means 52
The “bandwidth usage information” of the S information management unit 51 is checked to determine whether or not the request from the QoS requesting unit 30 is permitted.
This “band use information” is the same as the “band use information” of the first embodiment.

As a result of checking the “bandwidth usage information”, if it is determined that the request from the QoS requesting means 30 can be permitted,
The QoS reception processing unit 52 transmits a “bandwidth limitation message” for limiting the bandwidth usage to the packet control units 40 of the HGWs 7-2 to 7-N other than the HGW 7-1 that has transmitted the “bandwidth request message”.

This “bandwidth limit message” is the same as the “bandwidth limit message” in the first embodiment. Also, Q
The communication procedure from when the oS reception processing unit 52 transmits the “bandwidth limit message” to when the QoS requesting unit 30 of the HGW 7-1 receives the “request permission message” is the same as in FIG.

The QoS requesting means 30 of the HGW 7-1 having received the “request permission message” notifies the packet control means 40 of the HGW 7-1 that the request has been permitted.

Then, the packet control means 40 outputs a packet to the ONU 6-1 within the range of the secured (requested) band.

When the reserved bandwidth becomes unnecessary, the QoS requesting means 30 of the HGW 7-1 sends a “bandwidth release message” to the QoS reception processing means 5 of the QoS management server 50.
Send to 2.

This "bandwidth release message" is
-1 is information that notifies the QoS management server 50 that the bandwidth (for example, 2 Mbps) secured is no longer needed.

Then, the QoS reception processing means 52 which has received the “bandwidth release message” sends the HGW 7-1 to 7-
N, a “packet control change message” is transmitted. This “packet control change message” is the same as the “packet control change message” in the first embodiment.
Further, the processing after the HGWs 7-1 to 7-N receive the “packet control change message” is also the same as in the first embodiment.

The communication procedure in the case where the request by the “bandwidth request message” from HGW 7-1 is not permitted is the same as the communication procedure of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The above-described example is based on the assumption that the HGW 7 is not transmitting a “bandwidth request message” from any of the HGWs 7-1 to 7-N connected to the OSU 2-1.
-1 is a communication procedure when a "bandwidth request message" is transmitted.

On the other hand, H connected to OSU 2-1
Among the GWs 7-1 to 7-N, a case where a certain HGW has already transmitted a "bandwidth request message" and the request has been permitted, and another HGW has transmitted a "bandwidth request message" may be considered. The communication procedure in this case is the same as in the first embodiment.

The first modified example as described above has the same effects as the first embodiment. However, in this modification, the time required to secure the band is not required, and therefore, in this regard, the same effect as in the first embodiment cannot be expected.

However, in the first embodiment, even when the reserved band becomes unnecessary, it is necessary to wait for the lapse of the reserved time. In the first modification, however, the reserved band becomes unnecessary. As soon as the "bandwidth release message" is transmitted, the bandwidths allocated to all the HGWs 7-1 to 7-N are all changed before the HGW 7-1 requests the bandwidth reservation. Is the band assigned to

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent a state in which a band that has become unnecessary and is not used continues from being maintained, and the band can be used effectively.

In the first embodiment as well, when the reserved bandwidth becomes unnecessary, a "band release message"
May be transmitted to the QoS management server 50.

Next, a second modification of the communication system according to the first embodiment will be described. This modified example is based on Embodiment 1 or the first modified example, and further adds the following functions to them.

In other words, this modification is not limited to any HGW7.
-1 to 7-N also have any HGs in a state where the bandwidth has not been secured by the request by the
When W sends a “bandwidth request message”, another HG
This is a communication system that considers whether the HGW is connected to the access network and is active or inactive when determining the bandwidth to be allocated to W.

FIG. 8 is a communication procedure diagram of a second modification of the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition,
8 focuses on the HGWs 7-1 to 7-N connected to the OSU 2-1 in FIG. 1, as in the description of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the HGW 7-1 is switched on, that is, when the HGW 7-1 is connected to the access network and becomes active, the HGW 7-1 is turned on.
The first QoS requesting means 30 transmits the QoS of the QoS management server 50.
An “active message” is transmitted to the oS information management means 51.

This "active message" is the HGW
7-1 is information for notifying the QoS management server 50 of the activation state.

On the other hand, when the HGW 7-1 is switched off,
That is, when the HGW 7-1 releases the connection to the access network and becomes inactive, the QoS request unit 30 of the HGW 7-1 transmits the QoS request of the QoS management server 50.
A “shutdown message” is transmitted to the information management unit 51.

The “shutdown message” is H
This is information for notifying the QoS management server 50 that the GW 7-1 has become inactive.

The other HGWs 7-2 to 7 -N also transmit an “active message” and a “shutdown message” to the QoS information management means 51 of the QoS management server 50.

As described above, by the “active message” and the “shutdown message”, the QoS information management means 51 of the QoS management server 50 is connected to the access network and is in the active state.
And the HGW that is currently disconnected from the access network and is in an inactive state can be quickly grasped.

Now, any of the HGWs 7-1 to 7-
It is also assumed that N is in a state where a band has not been secured by a request by the “band request message”. Then, in this state, a case is considered where the HGW 7-1 has transmitted a “bandwidth request message”.

In this case, the QoS management server 50 that has received the “bandwidth request message” from the HGW 7-1
When accepting the request, the reception processing unit 52 is connected to the access network and is active when determining the bandwidth to be allocated to the HGWs 7-2 to 7-N other than the HGW 7-1 that made the request, or , The inactive state is determined in consideration of the current state of the HGW.

More specifically, an HG that has not made a request
Inactive HG of W7-2 to 7-N
After allocating the minimum required bandwidth to W, the remaining bandwidth obtained by subtracting the minimum required bandwidth from (shared bandwidth-required bandwidth) is divided, and HGW 7 that has not made a request is divided.
-2 to 7-N are allocated to the active HGW.

As a distribution method in this case, for example, a method of evenly distributing the remaining bands can be considered. Also,
For example, the remaining band is assigned to the active HG
A method of allocating the inclination according to the priority order of W can be considered.

Note that the HGWs 7-2 to which no request has been made are issued.
The reason why the minimum necessary bandwidth is allocated to the inactive HGWs of 7-N is that it is necessary to transmit a “bandwidth request message” or the like.

[0174] The QoS reception processing means 52 sends the determined band to the HGWs 7-2 to 7-N.
Assigned by "bandwidth limit message".

As described above, in the second modification, the HGW
, Taking into account whether the HGW is currently active or currently inactive,
HGWs 7-2 to 7-N other than the HGW 7-1 that made the request
Determine the bandwidth to be assigned to

Thus, by assigning the minimum necessary bandwidth to the inactive HGWs that do not currently need to use the bandwidth, the bandwidth can be allocated without distinguishing between the active HGW and the inactive HGW. Active HGs that currently require the use of bandwidth as compared to allocating
A larger bandwidth can be allocated to W. As a result, the band can be used effectively.

Next, a third modification of the communication system according to the first embodiment will be described. This modified example is based on the second modified example, and further has the following functions.

That is, this modified example is equivalent to any one of the HGWs.
If 7-1 to 7-N increase or decrease the number of active HGWs in response to a request by the “bandwidth request message” while the bandwidth has already been reserved, the HG after the fluctuation
This is a communication system that changes the bandwidth to be allocated to an HGW other than the HGW that has already secured the bandwidth in response to a request in consideration of the state of W.

FIG. 9 is a communication procedure diagram of a third modification of the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition,
The description of FIG. 9 focuses on the HGWs 7-1 to 7-N connected to the OSU 2-1 in FIG. 1, as in the description of FIG.

It is also assumed that the HGW 7-1 has already secured a band in response to a request by a “band request message”.

In this case, the HGW 7 not requesting the bandwidth
HG for -2-7-N indicate whether it is active
The band determined in consideration of the current state of W is allocated (second modification).

In such a case, as shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that HGW 7-2 is connected to the access network and becomes active (switch on). At this time, HG
The QoS request means 30 of W7-2 is the QoS management server 5
An “active message” is transmitted to the QoS information management unit 51 of “0”.

The QoS information management means 51 of the QoS management server 50 receives this “active message”, and recognizes that the number of currently active HGWs has increased.

Then, the QoS information management means 51
The HGW 7-2 is newly activated, and notifies the QoS reception processing means 52 that the number of currently activated HGWs has increased.

The QoS reception processing unit 52 receiving this notification
Takes into account the current (latest) state of the HGW whether it is active or not, and
A new band to be allocated to -2-7-N is determined. The method of determining the band in this case is the same as in the second modification.

The QoS reception processing means 52 changes the bandwidth to be assigned to the HGWs 7-2 to 7-N that have not made a bandwidth request from the previously assigned bandwidth to the newly determined bandwidth. For 2-7-N,
Send a "packet control change message".

This “packet control change message” is
For HGWs 7-2 to 7-N that have not made a bandwidth request,
Change the band used so far and change the current (latest) HGW
Is information instructing the use of a band newly determined in consideration of the state of.

Then, a "packet control change message"
Control means 4 of HGW 7-2 to 7-N that received
0 changes the band used so far, and outputs a packet to the corresponding ONUs 6-2 to 6-N within the band used in the "packet control change message".

However, when the HGW 7-2 subsequently releases the connection to the access network and becomes inactive (switch off), the QoS request means 3 of the HGW 7-2
0 transmits a “shutdown message” to the QoS information management unit 51 of the QoS management server 50.

Then, in the same procedure as when the number of active HGWs increases, the Q
The oS reception processing unit 52 uses the “packet control change message” to notify the HGW 7-2 to 7-7 that has not made a bandwidth request.
The band assigned to N is changed to a band determined in consideration of the current (latest) state of the HGW as to whether or not it is active.

As described above, in the third modification, H
The QoS management server 50 that has already permitted the request for the band to be secured from the GW 7-1, if there is an increase or decrease in the number of active HGWs connected to the access network, has already permitted the request. HGW other than 1
The band allocated to 7-2 to 7-N is changed to a band determined in consideration of the current state of the HGW.

With this configuration, the active H
Even when the GW increases or decreases, the bandwidth allocated to the HGWs 7-2 to 7-N other than the HGW 7-1 that has requested the bandwidth is dynamically changed, so that the bandwidth can be used more effectively.

The first embodiment and its first embodiment
In the third modified example, the HGW 7-1 of the subscriber home 20-1
And HGW7-2, but not limited to this, other HGs
W7-3 to 7-N also have similar functions and can execute similar communication procedures.

The first embodiment and its first embodiment
In the third modified example, the H connected to the OSU 2-1
Although the description has been made focusing on the GWs 7-1 to 7-N, other OSUs
HGW7-1 to 7-N connected to 2-2 to 2-n
The same applies to the communication procedure between the server and the QoS management server 50.

(Embodiment 2) FIG.10 is a block diagram of a communication system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 10, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 10, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the QoS management server 50 is provided with a band securing history holding unit 53. The other points are the same as in the first embodiment. Further, the first to third modified examples of the first embodiment can be similarly applied.

The band securing history holding means 53 has been
The GWs 7-1 to 7-N hold information on the secured band and the time at which the band was secured (hereinafter, referred to as “bandwidth securing history information”).

[0198] The QoS reception processing means 52 of the QoS management server 50 includes the QoS requesting means 30 of the HGWs 7-1 to 7-N.
If a "bandwidth request message" is received from
The “bandwidth use information” of the S information management unit 51 and the “bandwidth history information” of the bandwidth reservation history holding unit 53 are checked, and the QoS request unit 30
Judge whether the request from the user is acceptable.

In this case, the “bandwidth securing history information” confirmed by the QoS reception processing means 52 is information on the bandwidth secured in the past and the time when the bandwidth was secured by the HGW requesting the bandwidth securing.

[0200] The case where the QoS reception processing means 52 does not permit the request by the "bandwidth request message" is, for example, the case where the HGW that has made the request for securing the bandwidth receives the request by the "bandwidth request message" in the past. It is conceivable that the value calculated based on both the frequency of securing the bandwidth and the value of the bandwidth that has already been secured by the request by the “bandwidth request message” exceeds a predetermined threshold.

In this example, the “value calculated based on the past reserved frequency and the current reserved band value” is, for example, two values of the past reserved frequency and the current reserved band value. May be calculated by using a mathematical formula created by combining the above, or by calculating a table prepared from the two values.

As described above, in the present embodiment, Q
The bandwidth securing history holding unit 53 of the oS management server 50
The GWs 7-1 to 7-N have information on the bandwidth and time secured by the request (bandwidth securing history information) in the past.

Then, the QoS management server 50 receiving the request for the band and time to be secured from the HGWs 7-1 to 7-N.
When the QoS reception processing means 52 determines whether the request is permitted or not, the HGW that has made the request obtains not only the band and time information (band use information) that has already been secured but also the request in the past. Considered band and time information (bandwidth securing history information).

With this configuration, it is possible to avoid a situation where one subscriber continuously and exclusively secures a band and time from the past to the present.

(Embodiment 3) FIG.11 is a block diagram of a communication system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 11, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be appropriately omitted.

As shown in FIG. 11, Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiment 1 in that a QoS management server 50 is provided with a charging management means 54. The other points are the same as in the first embodiment. Further, the first to third modified examples of the first embodiment can be similarly applied. Further, it can be combined with the second embodiment.

[0207] As shown in FIG.
Indicates that the HGWs 7-1 to 7-N send a "bandwidth request message"
The subscriber is charged according to the bandwidth and time secured by.

In this way, the subscribers who were requested to reserve the band and the time and were not permitted, and the subscribers who did not request the reservation of the band and the time, and were permitted to request the reservation of the band and the time. Fairness in terms of fees is achieved with subscribers.

[0209] Further, the request for securing the band and the time is not made more than necessary, and the monopoly of the band and the time by the specific subscriber can be suppressed. In addition, for service providers,
As compensation for guaranteeing the bandwidth and time, more compensation can be obtained.

[0210]

According to the communication system of the present invention, if the request for securing the bandwidth of the subscriber side gateway is permitted, the requested bandwidth can always be secured, and the remaining subscriber side gateways can receive the remaining bandwidth. Bandwidth is allocated.

As a result, even in the layer 2 section without the bandwidth guarantee function, the subscriber can secure the necessary bandwidth without being affected by the uplink transmission performed by other subscribers, and perform uplink transmission. It can be carried out.

In the communication system according to the second aspect, even when a request for securing a bandwidth of a certain subscriber gateway is newly granted, the bandwidth of the subscriber gateway for which a request for securing a bandwidth has already been granted is narrowed. And transmission in the uplink direction can be performed satisfactorily.

In the communication system according to the third aspect, if the request for the band securing time of the subscriber side gateway is permitted,
The requested time can always be secured.

[0214] As a result, the subscriber can perform the uplink transmission while securing the necessary time without being affected by the uplink transmission performed by another subscriber.

On the other hand, for the subscriber-side gateway that has not requested the bandwidth reservation, it is possible to prevent the subscriber-side gateway that has requested the bandwidth reservation for a long period of time,
Smooth transmission can be performed.

In the communication system according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to prevent a state in which a band that has become unnecessary and is not used continues to be maintained, and the band can be used effectively.

In the communication system according to the fifth aspect, since the discarding of the high-priority class packets can be avoided in the subscriber-side gateway which has not issued the request for securing the bandwidth, the deterioration of the communication can be suppressed as much as possible.

In the communication system according to the sixth aspect, a non-active subscriber side gateway that does not currently need to use the band is allocated a minimum necessary band, thereby allowing the active subscriber side gateway and the non-active subscriber side gateway to communicate with each other. A larger bandwidth can be allocated to an active subscriber gateway that currently needs to use the bandwidth, as compared to allocating the bandwidth without distinguishing it from the active subscriber gateway. As a result, the band can be used effectively.

In the communication system according to the seventh aspect, even when the number of active subscriber gateways increases or decreases, the bandwidth allocated to the subscriber gateway other than the subscriber gateway that has requested the bandwidth reservation. However, since it is dynamically changed, the band can be used more effectively.

[0220] In the communication system according to the eighth aspect, the currently active subscriber side gateway and the currently inactive subscriber side gateway can be quickly grasped.

In the communication system according to the ninth aspect, it is possible to avoid a situation where one subscriber continuously and exclusively uses the band from the past to the present.

In the communication system according to the tenth aspect, it is possible to avoid a situation where one subscriber secures a band for a long time from the past to the present.

In the communication system according to the eleventh aspect, between a subscriber who has been requested to secure a band and has not been permitted and a subscriber who has not requested a bandwidth reservation and a subscriber who has requested and secured a bandwidth. In this way, fairness in terms of fees is achieved.

Further, the request for securing the band is not made more than necessary, and the monopoly of the band by a specific subscriber can be suppressed. Furthermore, for the service provider, more compensation can be obtained as compensation for the bandwidth guarantee.

[0225] In the communication system according to the twelfth aspect, the subscribers who are requested and not permitted the bandwidth reservation time, the subscribers who do not request the bandwidth reservation time, and the subscribers who request the bandwidth reservation time and are permitted. In this way, fairness in terms of fees is achieved.

Further, the request for the bandwidth securing time is not made longer than necessary, and it is possible to prevent a specific subscriber from securing the bandwidth for a long time. Further, for the service provider, more compensation can be obtained as compensation for securing time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an access router according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a QoS packet processing unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a communication procedure diagram in the case of request permission according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an HGW (home gateway) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a communication procedure diagram when a request is not permitted according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a communication procedure diagram in a first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a communication procedure diagram in a second modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a communication procedure diagram in a third modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a communication system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical line terminal-side communication device (OLT) 2-1-2-n Optical line terminal unit (OSU) 3 Cross-connect (XC) 4 Router I / F 5-1-5-n Star coupler (SC) 6-1 to 6-N Optical subscriber line subscriber side termination device (ON
U) 7-1 to 7-N Home Gateway (HGW) 8-1 to 8-N Subscriber Side Terminal 9-1 to 9-N Home Network 10 Access Router 11 Forwarding Module 12 Access Network Input I / F 13 Access Network Output I / F 14 WAN output I / F 15 WAN input I / F 16 Server input I / F 17 Server output I / F 20-1 to 20-N Subscriber's house 22 QoS packet processing means 23, 41 QoS class classification means 23, 42 queue module 25, 43 scheduler 26-28, 45-47 queue 30 QoS request means 40 packet control means 44 shaper 50 QoS management server 51 QoS information management means 52 QoS reception processing means 53 bandwidth securing history holding means 54 charging management means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Yuichi Kawaguchi 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5K030 GA13 HA08 HC01 HD03 JA02 JA08 JA11 JL08 JT03 LC08 LC11 MA05 MB02

Claims (12)

[Claims] [Claims of the Invention] 1. A communication system in which a plurality of subscriber gateways and a server are connected via an access network, wherein the subscriber gateway requests a bandwidth to be reserved from the server, and the request is granted. If the request has been made, the packet is sent to the access network within the requested bandwidth, and if the server permits the request from the subscriber side gateway, the server transmits the packet to the subscriber side other than the subscriber side gateway that made the request. The total bandwidth allocated to the gateway is equal to or less than the bandwidth obtained by subtracting the bandwidth requested by the subscriber gateway from the bandwidth allocated to all of the plurality of subscriber gateways including the subscriber gateway making the request. A communication system characterized by the following. 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein said server permits a request for a band to be reserved from a subscriber side gateway, and, if a request from another subscriber side gateway has already been permitted, said server which permits said request. The total bandwidth allocated to the subscriber gateway excluding the terminating gateway and other subscriber gateways that have already granted the request is equal to the number of subscriber gateways that permit the request and other subscriber gateways that have already granted the request. From the bandwidth allocated to all of the plurality of subscriber gateways including the subscriber gateway,
2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the bandwidth is equal to or less than a bandwidth obtained by subtracting a bandwidth for which the request is permitted and a bandwidth for which the request is already permitted. 3. When requesting a bandwidth to be reserved from the server, the subscriber-side gateway requests a time at which the bandwidth is to be reserved in addition to the bandwidth to be reserved, and if the request is permitted, the request is made. Sending a packet to an access network within a time range, the server grants the request from the subscriber gateway, and when the time requested by the subscriber gateway has elapsed, the server making the request 3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein a band assigned to each of the plurality of subscriber gateways including a subscriber gateway is a band assigned to each of the subscriber gateways before the request is granted. 4. A subscriber gateway to which a request for a bandwidth to be secured from the server is permitted, when the requested bandwidth is no longer required, notifies the server to that effect. The server allocates a bandwidth to be assigned to each of the plurality of subscriber gateways including the subscriber gateway that has issued the notification, and a bandwidth assigned to each of the plurality of subscriber gateways before permitting a request for a bandwidth to be reserved from the subscriber gateway. 3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein: 5. When congestion occurs in a subscriber gateway other than a subscriber gateway to which a request for a bandwidth to be secured from the server is permitted, discarding packets of lower priority classes. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication system is a communication system. 6. The server, which receives a request for a band to be reserved from the subscriber gateway, determines a band to be allocated to a subscriber gateway other than the requesting subscriber gateway when permitting the request. 6. The communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the decision is made in consideration of the current state of the subscriber-side gateway which is connected to the access network and is active. 7. The server which has already permitted a request for a band to be reserved from the subscriber side gateway, if the number of active subscriber side gateways connected to the access network increases or decreases, the request is made. 7. The bandwidth according to claim 1, wherein a bandwidth allocated to a subscriber gateway other than a subscriber gateway which has already been permitted is changed to a bandwidth determined in consideration of a current state of the subscriber gateway. Communications system. 8. The subscriber-side gateway informs the server when it is connected to the access network and becomes active, and when the connection to the access network is released and becomes inactive. To the server, and the server receives the notification, and grasps the currently active subscriber side gateway and the currently inactive subscriber side gateway. The communication system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein 9. The server has information on a band previously reserved by a subscriber gateway in response to a request, and the server, which has received a request for a band to be reserved from the subscriber gateway, transmits the request to the server. 9. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein, when judging permission, the subscriber's gateway that has made the request considers information on a band previously secured by the request. 10. The server has information on the time when the subscriber side gateway has previously reserved a band by a request, and the server which has received the request for the band to be reserved from the subscriber side gateway, 10. The communication system according to claim 9, wherein when judging whether or not the request is permitted, the subscriber gateway that has made the request considers information on the time when the bandwidth was previously reserved by the request. 11. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said server charges a fee in accordance with a band previously reserved by a subscriber side gateway by a request. 12. The communication system according to claim 11, wherein said server charges a fee in accordance with a time when said subscriber side gateway has previously secured a band by a request.