JP2006074708A - Available band control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform pin-point control on a communication band to be used for a terminal that causes increase of a communication quantity, while specifying that terminal, to deal with the increase of the communication quantity and to also realize band control to improve efficiency of an entire network reflected with the situation of using the terminal. <P>SOLUTION: A monitoring apparatus 105 disposed on a global network of the Internet 104 monitors an available band of a terminal such as a cable MODEM and transmits the result to a remote control device 107, and the remote control device 107 performs pin-point control on the traffic of a terminal that causes a problem, via a gateway 101. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention monitors the transmission enabling state indicating the degree of the state in which data can be transmitted and / or received on the terminal, and controls the usable bandwidth used by the terminal for communication as necessary. It is related with the usable bandwidth control system.

  In recent years, with the advancement of technology related to the Internet, Peer to Peer technology (see, for example, Patent Document 1) has been widely used. According to this peer-to-peer technology, there is a number of advantages such as no distinction between a server and a client is required in the conventional technology, and data can be widely distributed.

  On the other hand, as data is widely distributed by the peer-to-peer technology, there is a problem that the amount of communication is increased by peer-to-peer and other communication is difficult to perform normally. For this reason, the increase in communication volume due to peer-to-peer has become a concern for managers of Internet service providers. Therefore, an administrator of an Internet service provider analyzes a communication pattern of a user with a gateway device or the like, and restricts communication of a program that uses peer-to-peer technology (for example, non-patent). Reference 1).

In addition, an Internet service using a cable television facility is provided (for example, see Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-229836 A JP 2001-177572 A "Plala," Winny "and" Win-MX "traffic control started in November-Winny and others account for 60-80% of upstream traffic", [online], 2003.10.20 , Impress, Inc. [Search date: 2004.8.17], Internet <http://bb.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/2955.html>

  However, in order for Internet service providers to restrict communications using programs that use peer-to-peer technology, it is necessary to analyze user communication patterns with gateway devices and the like, and as a result, analysis of enormous amounts of data is required. Therefore, there is a problem that enormous investment is required to develop a gateway device that accurately restricts the program and communication for the analysis.

  In addition, in the Internet service using the cable TV equipment, the service is provided by using the coaxial cable of the already installed cable TV, and the communication band provided by the user by using the coaxial cable is also provided. It will be shared and used. For this reason, in order for Internet service providers using cable television equipment to respond to the increase in communication volume due to the use of peer-to-peer technology, it is necessary to relay already laid coaxial cables, etc. There is a problem that it is necessary.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to be able to cope with an increase in communication amount due to the use of peer-to-peer technology without making such an enormous investment.

  In order to achieve such an object, in the present invention, monitoring regarding the data transmission enabled state on the regional network terminal connected to the global network through the gateway is performed by a monitoring device arranged on the global network, Based on the monitoring, monitoring result information is transmitted from the monitoring device to the remote control device, and based on the monitoring result information, the remote control device transmits an available bandwidth control information change command to the setting information holding device. When the usable bandwidth control command is transmitted to the regional network terminal and the usable bandwidth control information change command is received by the setting information holding device, the usable bandwidth control information of the regional network terminal is changed, and the usable bandwidth control command is Retain setting information by the received regional network terminal Usable bandwidth control information from the location is obtained, providing a usable bandwidth control system controlling the usable bandwidth is performed.

  With such an available bandwidth control system, a program that uses peer-to-peer technology can be used to limit the communication bandwidth used by local network terminals that are causing an increase in communication volume to a pinpoint, making a huge investment It is possible to cope with an increase in the amount of communication without performing the steps, and the problem is solved and the object is achieved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to pinpoint and control the communication band used by a terminal that is causing an increase in communication volume, and to cope with the increase in communication volume. In particular, if the present invention is applied to an Internet service using a cable television facility, it is not necessary to lay a new cable or the like only for the purpose of dealing with an increase in communication volume. Further, since it is possible to further allocate the communication bandwidth to be used for each terminal, it is possible to realize bandwidth control that enhances the efficiency of the entire network reflecting the usage status of the terminal.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described as an embodiment with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to these embodiment at all, and can be implemented with various aspects in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

  (Embodiment 1)

  As Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the usable bandwidth of a regional network terminal connected to a global network via a gateway is monitored by a device on the global network side, and the usable bandwidth of the regional network terminal is controlled based on the monitoring. An available bandwidth control system in which the above is performed will be described.

  FIG. 1 illustrates an outline of a case where the present invention is applied to an Internet service using a cable television facility. In FIG. 1, cable modems 102-1 to 102-4 are connected to a gateway 101. For example, information devices such as personal computers 103-1 to 103-4 are connected to each cable modem. On the other hand, the gateway 101 is also connected to the Internet 104, which is an external network for cable television operators. Note that the network on the side to which the cable modem is connected with the gateway as a boundary may be referred to as a “CATV network” or a “regional network”.

  A monitoring device 105 is connected to the Internet 104. The monitoring device 105 monitors a data transmission enabled state on a terminal that can access the Internet 104. For example, the monitoring device 105 monitors the data transmission enabled state on the terminal by waiting for information transmitted by the terminal. “Terminals accessible from the Internet 104” include cable modems 102-1 to 102-3 and personal computers 103-1 to 103-4. “Monitoring the data transmission enable state on the terminal” means, for example, checking the existence of a terminal that performs unauthorized communication or obtaining a predicted value of communication caused by the terminal for each terminal. It is to be. The “predicted value of communication caused by the terminal” is, for example, a communication amount calculated based on the number of files in the folder accessible from the outside, the size of the file, and the like. Such a communication amount may be referred to as a “transmission-enabled amount”. Similarly, the receivable amount and the receivable state can also be defined based on the free capacity of the file system, the CPU capability that the terminal can use for receiving data, and the like.

  The monitoring device 105 only needs to be able to monitor the data transmission enabled state on the cable modems 102-1 to 102-4 and the personal computers 103-1 to 103-4. In this respect, the monitoring device 105 is global. It may be said that there is no necessity to be located on the network. However, since the monitoring device 105 is arranged in the global network, there is an advantage that it is possible to monitor cable modems arranged in a plurality of regional networks. For this reason, it is preferable that the monitoring device 105 is arranged in the global network.

  The monitoring device 105 transmits a monitoring result 106 of a terminal (such as a cable modem or a personal computer in FIG. 1) in the regional network to the remote control device. As the monitoring result 106, for example, a list of identifiers of terminals that perform illegal communication or whose transmission enablement amount exceeds a predetermined value can be cited. In FIG. 1, an IP address is used as an identifier of a terminal in the regional network.

  When the remote control device receives the monitoring result, for example, the communication band of the connected cable modem for a personal computer or the like that performs unauthorized communication or whose transmission capability exceeds a predetermined value. Control or command to stop communication.

  In general, a cable modem is configured to acquire setting information including a value for controlling a communication band by using a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP). Therefore, the remote control device (1) changes the value for controlling the communication band of the setting information acquired by the cable modem by the TFTP, and (2) transmits a command for acquiring the setting information to the cable modem. It may be. Note that any protocol can be used instead of TFTP. Further, changing the value for controlling the communication band includes decreasing or increasing the communication band.

  In addition, although the case where this invention was applied to the internet service using the equipment of a cable television was demonstrated using FIG. 1, this invention can also be applied to the communication network using another communication method.

  (Embodiment 1: Overall configuration)

  FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of the usable bandwidth control system. The usable bandwidth control system includes a regional network terminal 201, a setting information holding device 203, a remote control device 204, and a monitoring device 206.

  The configuration of the regional network terminal 201, the setting information holding device 203, the remote control device 204, and the monitoring device 206 will be described in detail later, but the outline is as follows.

  A “regional network terminal” 201 is a terminal connected to the global network 205 via the gateway 202. For example, the cable modem shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, an information device such as a personal computer connected to a cable modem can be included. The “gateway” 202 is a device arranged at a connection point between a regional network and another network such as the Internet (referred to as “global network”), and is an entity such as a server device or a terminal connected to the global network. A device that enables communication with an entity such as a regional network terminal connected to a regional network. For example, a router device corresponds.

  The “setting information holding device” 203 holds information for controlling the usable bandwidth of the regional network terminal, for example, setting information.

  The “remote control device” 204 is a device for controlling the usable bandwidth of the regional network terminal.

  The “monitoring device” 206 is a device arranged in the global network in order to monitor the data transmission enabled state on the regional network terminal.

  In FIG. 2, the setting information holding device 203, the gateway 202, the remote control device 204, and the gateway 202 are depicted by dotted lines as the setting information holding device 203, the remote control device 204, and the gateway 202. This is to show that there are various connection modes. Examples of such aspects are shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 3 shows a mode in which the setting information holding device 203 is connected to the global network via the gateway 202. That is, the setting information holding device 203 is arranged in the regional network. Alternatively, it can be said that the setting information holding device 203 is not arranged on the global network 205. Thereby, for example, when the regional network terminal 201 acquires the setting information from the setting information holding device 203, it is not necessary to use the global network, and the setting information can be acquired smoothly.

  FIG. 4 shows a mode in which the setting information holding device 203 is arranged on the global network 205. Thereby, for example, the maintenance of the setting information held in the setting information holding device 203 can be easily performed from outside the regional network. Therefore, it becomes easy to outsource maintenance of the setting information.

  FIG. 5 shows a mode in which the remote control device 204 is arranged on the global network 205. Thereby, for example, the overhead of communication between the monitoring device 206 and the remote control device 204 can be reduced. In addition, one monitoring device 206 monitors the transmission enable state on the regional network terminals of a plurality of regional networks, and transmits information indicating the monitoring result to the remote control device associated with each regional network. Becomes easy.

  FIG. 6 shows a mode in which the remote control device 204 is connected to the global network via the gateway 202. That is, the remote control device 204 is connected to the regional network. As a result, the remote control device 204 can smoothly transmit information for controlling the usable bandwidth of the regional network terminal 201. In addition, since the remote control device is arranged in the regional network, security for the remote control device can be improved.

  (Embodiment 1: Regional network terminal: configuration)

  FIG. 7 illustrates a functional block diagram of the regional network terminal. The regional network terminal 700 includes an available bandwidth control command reception unit 701, an available bandwidth control information acquisition unit 702, and an available bandwidth control unit 703.

  The “available bandwidth control command receiving unit” 701 receives the available bandwidth control command from the remote control device 204. The “usable bandwidth control command” is a command for controlling the usable bandwidth which is a bandwidth (BAND WIDTH) that can be used by the regional network terminal for communication. For example, it may be information that directly specifies the upper limit value of the usable bandwidth or information that indirectly specifies the upper limit value of the usable bandwidth. In the former case, it is not necessary to acquire usable bandwidth control information, which will be described later, from the setting information holding device. In the latter case, the usable bandwidth control command instructs to obtain setting information including the usable bandwidth from the setting information holding device. In particular, the usable bandwidth control command may be a command for instructing the regional network terminal to restart and acquiring setting information or the like with the restart.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of an available bandwidth control command. Arranged between “<MAC_ADDR>” and “</ MAC_ADDR>” indicates the MAC address (Media Access Control Address) of the transmission destination of the usable bandwidth control command. “<Reread>” and “</ Reread>” indicate that setting information described later is read from the setting information holding device 203. In the setting information, what is to be read or at least what is to be read is specified between “<reread>” and “</ reread>”. In FIG. 8, it is specified that the usable bandwidth control information is read again.

  The “usable bandwidth control information acquisition unit” 702 is a unit that can acquire the usable bandwidth control information from the setting information holding device 203 based on the usable bandwidth control command received by the usable bandwidth control command reception unit 701. The “acquirable part” means that when the upper limit value of the usable bandwidth is directly specified by the usable bandwidth control command, the usable bandwidth control information transmitted from the outside is received. It may not be necessary.

  In this specification, “acquisition” includes not only external acquisition but also generation meaning. Therefore, the usable bandwidth control information acquisition unit may generate usable bandwidth control information based on the usable bandwidth control command received by the usable bandwidth control command reception unit 701.

  “Usable bandwidth control information” is information for setting its own usable bandwidth. For example, it is information specifying an upper limit value of the usable bandwidth. Note that the usable bandwidth control information acquisition unit 702 may request the setting information holding device 203 to transmit usable bandwidth control information. Alternatively, if the protocol is such that usable bandwidth control information is transmitted after the usable bandwidth control command, the usable bandwidth control information is received without issuing a request.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of usable bandwidth control information. Similar to the usable bandwidth control command illustrated in FIG. 8, the MAC address of the regional network terminal 201 is specified between “<MAC_ADDR>” and “</ MAC_ADDR>”. An upper limit value of the usable bandwidth is specified between “<control value>” and “</ control value>”. In this example, since “5 Mbps” is simply designated, the transmission / reception communication speed is controlled to 5 megabits per second. For example, if the current communication speed is 10 megabits per second, the usable bandwidth is limited. If the current communication speed is 2 megabits per second, the usable bandwidth restriction is relaxed. It will be. It is also possible to specify that the usable bandwidth control is performed separately for transmission and reception.

  The “usable bandwidth control unit” 703 is a unit for controlling the usable bandwidth based on the usable bandwidth control information. The “usable bandwidth control information” refers to the usable bandwidth control information acquired by the usable bandwidth control information acquisition unit 702. Although not shown, the regional network terminal includes a transmission unit and a reception unit for communicating with the gateway 202. The usable bandwidth control unit specifies the speed of communication between the transmission unit and the reception unit. The communication speed is specified or calculated based on the usable bandwidth control information.

  (Embodiment 1: Regional network terminal: process flow)

  FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the regional network terminal. The regional network terminal executes the process of the flowchart of FIG. 10 every time the usable bandwidth control command can be received. When the processing in the regional network terminal is realized by a program, generally, whether or not an instruction or information can be received is detected by executing a select system call or the like when the processing is executed by the program. Is possible.

  In step S1001, an available bandwidth control command is received. This step is executed by the usable bandwidth control command receiving unit 701. In step S1002, usable bandwidth control information is acquired. This step is executed by the usable bandwidth control information acquisition unit 702. Finally, in step S1003, the usable bandwidth is controlled. This step is performed by the usable bandwidth control unit 703.

  (Embodiment 1: Setting information holding device: configuration)

  FIG. 11 illustrates a functional block diagram of the setting information holding device. The setting information holding device 1100 includes an available bandwidth control information holding unit 1101, an available bandwidth control information changing unit 1102, and an available bandwidth control information transmitting unit 1103.

  The “usable bandwidth control information holding unit” 1101 holds usable bandwidth control information. For example, when the setting information holding device 1100 is realized by a computer, the usable bandwidth control information is stored as the contents of a file existing in a file system created on a hard disk drive or a semiconductor memory, so that the usable bandwidth is stored. Holding of control information is realized. In this case, it is convenient to use the identification information of the regional network terminal as the file name (which may be the name of a symbolic link having no entity as a file). For example, the MAC address may be used as the file name.

  The “usable bandwidth control information changing unit” 1102 changes the usable bandwidth control information held in the usable bandwidth control information holding unit 1101. For example, the usable bandwidth control information stored in the file is rewritten. The change may be made when the usable bandwidth control information changing unit 1102 starts its operation spontaneously. Alternatively, the change operation may be started by acquiring a command from another device or unit. In the present invention, mainly, an available bandwidth control information change command is acquired from the remote control device, and the change operation is started based on the command. However, it is not limited to the start of such an operation.

  In FIG. 12A, “control value: 40 Mbps” is stored as usable bandwidth control information in a file having a MAC address “00-40-CA-4E-21-36” as a name. When the usable bandwidth control information changing unit 1102 changes 40 Mbps to 5 Mbps, the content of the file having the name “00-40-CA-4E-21-36” changes as shown in FIG. It will be.

  The “usable bandwidth control information transmission unit” 1103 is a unit for transmitting the usable bandwidth control information held in the usable bandwidth control information holding unit 1101. Transmission of the usable bandwidth control information may be performed by using a detection that the usable bandwidth control information is changed by the usable bandwidth control information changing unit 1102 as a trigger. Alternatively, a request transmitted from a regional network terminal may be received to transmit usable bandwidth control information.

  (Embodiment 1: Setting information holding device: flow of processing)

  FIG. 13 exemplifies a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing of the setting information holding device. For example, the setting information holding device may cause two different processes and threads to perform the processes (A) and (B). In that case, for example, the first process or thread executes the process of the flowchart illustrated in (A) every time an available bandwidth control information change command can be received. In step S1301, an available bandwidth control information change command is received. In step S1302, the usable bandwidth control information is changed. At this time, the change may be performed based on the usable bandwidth control information change command. These steps are performed by the usable bandwidth control information changing unit 1102. For example, each time a request is received from a regional network terminal, the second process or thread executes the process of the flowchart illustrated in (B). In step S1303, usable bandwidth control information is transmitted. In the case where a plurality of usable bandwidth control information is held in the usable bandwidth control information holding unit 1101, for example, the selection is made according to the identifier of the regional network included in the request received from the usable bandwidth control information acquisition unit 702. Is done.

  (Embodiment 1: Remote control device: configuration)

  FIG. 14 illustrates a functional block diagram of the remote control device. The remote control device 1400 includes a monitoring result information receiving unit 1401, an available bandwidth control information change command output unit 1402, and an available bandwidth control command transmission unit 1403.

  A “monitoring result information receiving unit” 1401 receives monitoring result information from the monitoring device 206. “Monitoring result information” is information indicating a monitoring result regarding the usable bandwidth of the regional network terminal. For example, it may be information indicating the presence / absence of a local network terminal performing illegal communication or legitimate communication, or information indicating an available bandwidth for each local network terminal.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of the monitoring result information. In this example, the monitoring result information indicates that the traffic of the regional network terminal having an IP address (Internet Protocol Address) of 133.139.210.11 is 2,847,299,029 bytes. Here, the 2,847,299,029 bytes are, for example, traffic after the local network terminal is started or traffic after the previous monitoring.

  The “usable bandwidth control information change command output unit” 1402 outputs a usable bandwidth control information change command based on the monitoring result information received by the monitoring result information receiving unit 1401. The “usable bandwidth control information change command” is a command for changing the usable bandwidth control information by the usable bandwidth control information changing unit 1102 of the setting information holding device 203. For example, the remote control device manages a table holding traffic and the like for each regional network terminal, and sets the table (hereinafter referred to as “traffic table”) in descending order of traffic. A usable bandwidth control information change instruction so that usable bandwidth control information of a regional network terminal (for example, a regional network terminal that occupies the top 10 of traffic) that appears in the first row of the traffic table rows is changed. The output unit 1402 may output a usable bandwidth control information change command. In this case, the usable bandwidth control information is usually changed so that the usable bandwidth is limited. Alternatively, the usable bandwidth control information change command may be output so that the restriction on the usable bandwidth of the regional network terminal appearing in the lower level of the traffic table is relaxed.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of an available bandwidth control information change command. This example shows an available bandwidth control information change command that is output based on the monitoring result information illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 15, an IP address is specified, and in FIG. 16, a MAC address is specified. However, in order to maintain the correspondence between the IP address and the MAC address, the remote control device determines the correspondence between the IP address and the MAC address. A table indicating the relationship may be managed. Such a table can be obtained from, for example, a DHCP server (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol Server). In addition, when the IP address is included in the setting information of the regional network terminal and the regional network terminal is set to use the IP address, such a table is previously stored based on the setting information. You may create it. Alternatively, it can be created by an ARP table (Address Resolution Protocol Table) possessed by a gateway or the like, and there are various methods.

  FIG. 17 illustrates a table indicating a correspondence relationship between IP addresses and MAC addresses. For example, it is shown that the MAC address of a regional network terminal having an IP address of 133.139.210.11 is 00-40-CA-4E-21-36. Accordingly, the MAC address between “<MAC_ADDR>” and “</ MAC_ADDR>” in FIG. 16 corresponds to the IP address between “<IP_ADDR>” and “</ IP_ADDR>” in FIG. I understand that. Note that 5 Mbps between “<change>” and “</ change>” may be determined by a numerical value between “<traffic>” and “</ traffic>” in FIG. 15, for example. Alternatively, it may be determined based on the history of monitoring result information received by the monitoring result information receiving unit 1401 so far. For example, the larger the numerical value between “<traffic>” and “<traffic>”, the smaller the numerical value between “<change>” and “</ change>” (for example, inversely proportional) )

  The “usable bandwidth control command transmission unit” 1403 transmits the usable bandwidth control command to the regional network terminal based on the monitoring result information received by the monitoring result information receiving unit 1401. Here, the regional network terminal that is the target of transmission of the usable bandwidth control command is a regional network terminal corresponding to the usable bandwidth control information that is changed by the usable bandwidth control information change command. For example, when the usable bandwidth control information change command is as illustrated in FIG. 16, the usable bandwidth control command is transmitted to the regional network terminal having the MAC address 00-40-CA-4E-21-36. Is done. The usable bandwidth control command may be transmitted after obtaining a reply that the setting information holding device has changed the usable bandwidth control information. Alternatively, when the regional network terminal issues a request for usable bandwidth control information to the setting information holding device, the setting information holding device waits for transmission of the usable bandwidth control information until the change of the usable bandwidth control information is completed. It may be like this.

  (Embodiment 1: Remote control device: flow of processing)

  FIG. 18 illustrates a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the remote control device. The remote control device executes the processing of this flowchart every time monitoring result information can be received. In step S1801, the monitoring result information is received. This step is performed by the monitoring result information receiving unit 1401. In executing this step, for example, the above-described traffic table may be updated. In step S1802, an available bandwidth control information change command is output. This step is performed by the usable bandwidth control information change command output unit 1402. In step S1803, an available bandwidth control command is transmitted. This step is performed by the usable bandwidth control command transmission unit 1403.

  (Embodiment 1: Monitoring device: Configuration)

  FIG. 19 illustrates a functional block diagram of the monitoring device. The monitoring device 1900 includes a transmission enable state related information acquisition unit 1901 and a monitoring result information transmission unit 1902. Moreover, although it is not an essential component, it may have a transmission enabling state related information history holding unit that holds a history of transmission enabling state related information described later.

  The “transmission enabling state related information acquisition unit” 1901 acquires transmission enabling state related information in order to monitor the transmission enabling state of data on the regional network terminal via the gateway 202. “Transmission enable state related information” is information relating to data transmission enablement. For example, it is information indicating the number of bytes of data that can be transmitted. Alternatively, it may be information indicating the number of bytes of data already transmitted. The transmission enabling state related information acquisition unit 1901 monitors and manages the regional network terminal based on, for example, SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), and acquires the transmission enabling state related information obtained thereby. Alternatively, the transmission enablement state related information may be acquired by monitoring execution of a program for performing file exchange or the like through peer-to-peer communication. As an example of acquisition of transmission enablement state related information, monitoring whether or not a change in the value of the amount of data enabled for transmission does not exceed a certain level can be mentioned. Therefore, the transmission enabling state related information acquisition unit 1901 stores information for identifying a regional network terminal connected to the global network via the gateway 202, for example, a range of IP addresses, and performs the above monitoring. It may be.

  The “monitoring result information transmission unit” 1902 transmits the monitoring result information based on the transmission enablement state related information acquired by the transmission enablement state related information acquisition unit 1901. For example, when the transmission enablement state related information acquisition unit 1901 detects that the value of the transmission enablement amount of data on a certain regional network terminal or the change in the value becomes equal to or greater than a certain value, the local network The IP address of the terminal is transmitted as monitoring result information. The change in the transmission enablement amount may include, in addition to the change in the numerical value of the transmission enablement amount, start / end of execution of a program for executing file exchange by peer-to-peer communication, and installation. When there is a transmission enablement state related information history holding unit, the monitoring result information may be transmitted based on the history held in the transmission enablement state related information history holding unit.

  (Embodiment 1: Monitoring device: flow of processing)

  FIG. 20 illustrates a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing of the monitoring apparatus. In step S2001, transmission enablement state related information is acquired. This step is executed by the transmission enabling state related information acquisition unit 1901. If the transmission enabling state related information acquisition unit 1901 detects any change or abnormality, the monitoring result information is transmitted in step S2002. This process is executed by the monitoring result information transmission unit 1902. Note that “some changes or abnormalities” include, for example, changes in the transmission enabling state, changes in the reception enabling state, changes in the transmission enabling amount, changes in the receiving enabling amount, etc. Includes installation, execution, and termination of programs that perform file-to-peer exchanges. Thereafter, in step S2003, it is determined whether or not to end the entire process. If not, the process returns to step S2001. Whether or not to end the entire process is determined, for example, based on whether or not a predetermined time has come, whether or not an end instruction has been issued by the operator of the monitoring device, and the like.

  (Embodiment 1: Overall processing)

  FIG. 21 illustrates a sequence diagram for explaining the overall processing flow of the usable bandwidth control system.

  In step S2101, the monitoring apparatus performs monitoring related to the transmission enabled state, and the transmission enabled state related information is acquired by the transmission enabled state related information acquisition unit. Acquisition of transmission enablement state related information is performed via a gateway. If any change or abnormality is detected from the acquired transmission enabling state related information or a predetermined time has elapsed, step S2102 is executed.

  In step S2102, monitoring result information is transmitted from the monitoring device to the remote control device. The monitoring result information is illustrated in FIG.

  In step S2103, an available bandwidth control information change command is transmitted from the remote control device to the setting information holding device based on the monitoring result information. An example of the usable bandwidth control information change command is illustrated in FIG.

  In step S2104, based on the monitoring result information, an available bandwidth control command is transmitted from the remote control device to the regional network terminal. The available bandwidth control command is illustrated in FIG. The usable bandwidth control command may be transmitted to the regional network terminal via the gateway.

  Thereafter, for example, a request for usable bandwidth control information may be transmitted from the regional network terminal to the setting information holding device (step S2105). This request may be transmitted to the setting information holding device via the gateway.

  Thereafter, in step S2106, usable bandwidth control information is transmitted from the setting information holding device to the regional network terminal. The usable bandwidth control information may be transmitted to the regional network terminal via the gateway.

  (Embodiment 1: Main effects)

  According to the present embodiment, for example, it is possible to limit the usable bandwidth to only a regional network terminal that generates a large amount of traffic, and for example, it is possible to prevent other regional network terminals from becoming unable to communicate. be able to.

  (Embodiment 2)

  As an embodiment 2 of the present invention, a usable bandwidth control system including a regional network terminal that acquires usable bandwidth control information even at the start of operation will be described.

  (Embodiment 2: Regional network terminal: configuration)

  FIG. 22 illustrates a functional block diagram of the regional network terminal of the present embodiment. The regional network terminal 2200 includes an available bandwidth control command reception unit 701, an available bandwidth control information acquisition unit 702, and an available bandwidth control unit 703. The available bandwidth control information acquisition unit 702 includes: An operation start dependency obtaining unit 2201 and an available bandwidth control command dependent operation start unit 2202 are included. Therefore, in the usable bandwidth control system according to the present embodiment, the usable bandwidth control information acquisition unit of the regional network terminal of the usable bandwidth control system according to the first embodiment includes an operation start dependency acquisition unit, and a usable bandwidth control command. Dependent operation starting means.

  The “operation start dependency acquisition unit” 2201 acquires usable bandwidth control information from the setting information holding device 203 based on its own operation start work. “Own operation start work” means that when the local network terminal starts to operate due to the power being turned on, the local network terminal is reset, or the local network terminal receives a reset command. This means a series of procedures when restarting is performed.

  “Available bandwidth control command dependent operation start means” 2202 executes an operation start operation of the usable bandwidth control information acquisition unit based on the usable bandwidth control command received by the usable bandwidth control command reception unit 701.

  (Embodiment 2: Regional network terminal: process flow)

  Therefore, the processing flow of the regional network terminal of the present embodiment includes the processing flow at the time of its own operation start work in addition to the processing flow in the first embodiment. When the power is turned on or restarted, usable bandwidth control information is generated, and the usable bandwidth is controlled.

  (Embodiment 2: Main effects)

  According to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the usable bandwidth can be controlled based on the operation for starting the operation of the regional network, and there is no omission in the usable bandwidth control. For example, when the usable bandwidth is controlled, in the first embodiment, there is a possibility that the usable bandwidth can be controlled by resetting and restarting the regional network terminal. In the embodiment, such a possibility disappears.

  (Embodiment 3)

  As an embodiment 3 of the present invention, a usable bandwidth control system in which a bandwidth is shared as in an Internet service in which a regional network uses cable television equipment will be described.

  (Embodiment 3: Configuration)

  In the present embodiment, in the usable bandwidth control system of the first or second embodiment, the communication from the regional network terminal 201 to the gateway 202 is a shared bandwidth communication with other regional network terminals. “Bandwidth sharing communication” refers to communication performed by a plurality of communication entities sharing one communication path. A typical example is communication performed by a cable modem in an Internet service using cable television equipment. In an Internet service using cable television equipment, a branch cable is laid from a trunk cable, and a cable modem is connected to the end of the trunk line or branch line. Therefore, a band is shared between cable modems connected to the same trunk line or branch line.

  (Embodiment 3: Main effects)

  In the band sharing type communication, in order to increase the communication band, a communication path such as a cable has to be newly laid. Therefore, the main effect of the present embodiment is that, in addition to the main effect of the first or second embodiment, instead of newly laying a communication path, by controlling the usable bandwidth of a regional network terminal having a high traffic volume. Therefore, it is possible to create a room for use of other regional network terminals, and to avoid a large capital investment for newly laying a communication path.

  (Embodiment 4)

  As an embodiment 4 of the present invention, a usable bandwidth control system will be described in which monitoring of usable bandwidth is performed by predicting the amount of signal output from a regional network terminal.

  (Embodiment 4: Configuration)

  FIG. 23 illustrates a functional block diagram of the monitoring apparatus of this embodiment. The monitoring device 2300 includes a transmission enabling state related information acquisition unit 1901 and a monitoring result information transmission unit 1902. The transmission enabling state related information acquisition unit 1901 includes an output signal amount information acquisition unit 2301. Therefore, the usable bandwidth control system according to the present embodiment is the usable bandwidth control system according to any one of the first to third embodiments. The information acquisition unit is included.

  The “output signal amount information acquisition unit” 2301 acquires output signal amount information. The “output signal amount information” is information for indicating a signal amount output by the regional network terminal 201 as transmission enablement state related information. This signal amount is, for example, the amount of a signal that is output for communication. It is also possible to use the amount of input (or received) signal. For example, the amount of signals actually output using SNMP or the like may be used. Alternatively, it may be a predicted value of communication caused by the regional network terminal. For example, the output signal amount information may be calculated based on the number of files existing in a folder accessible from the outside, the size of the file, and the like. For example, if a large file is accessible, the output signal amount information indicating a large value is calculated accordingly. If a large number of files are accessible, a large value is calculated accordingly. The output signal amount information shown is calculated.

  Therefore, it can be said that this embodiment is an embodiment in which the monitoring target of the transmission enabled state related information acquisition unit 1901 is limited.

  (Embodiment 4: Main effects)

  According to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first to third embodiments, it is possible to pinpoint the usable bandwidth to the local network terminal that is generating or predicting that more communication traffic is generated. For example, it is possible to maintain fairness with other regional network terminals.

  (Embodiment 5)

  As an embodiment 5 of the present invention, an available bandwidth control system capable of pinpointing the available bandwidth control for a regional network terminal performing file exchange will be described.

  (Embodiment 5: Monitoring device: Configuration)

  FIG. 24 illustrates a functional block diagram of the monitoring apparatus of the present embodiment. The monitoring device 2400 includes a transmission enablement state related information acquisition unit 1901 and a monitoring result information transmission unit 1902, and the transmission enablement state related information acquisition unit 1901 includes a file exchange detection unit 2401. Further, the transmission enabling state related information acquisition unit 1901 may include an output signal amount information acquisition unit. Therefore, the usable bandwidth control system according to the present embodiment is the usable bandwidth control system according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, in which the transmission enable state related information acquisition unit of the monitoring device detects file exchange. It is the structure which has a means.

  “File exchange detection means” 2401 is means for detecting whether or not the regional network terminal is performing peer-to-peer file exchange. Therefore, it can be said that this embodiment is an embodiment in which the monitoring target is limited by the transmission enabling state related information acquisition unit 1901 acquiring the transmission enabling state related information. In the present embodiment, not only processing for detecting whether or not files are exchanged, but also processing for narrowing down the regional network terminals that are detected to be file exchanges to those that meet specific conditions is performed. Also good. For example, it is determined whether or not the number of times that a local network terminal is exchanging files exceeds a predetermined number, and transmission enablement state related information about such a regional network terminal is acquired. It may be. Further, it may be determined whether or not the file exchange time exceeds a predetermined length, and the transmission enablement state related information is acquired.

  There are various methods for detecting whether or not a regional network terminal is performing a peer-to-peer file exchange. In the present invention, the method is not limited to any one, but will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26, for example. There is a way.

  FIG. 25 illustrates a functional block diagram when the monitoring device 2400 is viewed from another viewpoint. The monitoring device is configured by connecting an address information acquisition device 2501 and a P2P parent terminal 2502 to a global network.

  The P2P parent terminal 2502 is a terminal that performs a part of processing for file exchange in response to a request from the address information acquisition apparatus 2501. The contents of the processing will be apparent from the following description.

  The address information acquisition apparatus 2501 includes a transmission / reception unit 2503, an address information acquisition management unit 2504, a search target information dictionary unit 2505, and a search file list database 2506.

  The transmission / reception unit 2503 performs data transmission / reception with the P2P parent terminal 2502 or data transmission / reception with the regional network terminal.

  The search file list database 2506 is connected to the information providing server 2507 and stores administrator request information and search file list information. The manager request information is, for example, the name of a file in which file exchange is not desirable or prohibited. The search file list information is the name of the file searched or detected by the P2P parent terminal 2502, the time information when the search or existence is confirmed, and the identification of the regional network terminal having the file. Information. The information providing server 2507 is used for inputting administrator request information.

  The search object information dictionary unit 2505 holds, for example, words and phrases for performing a search and generating a name of a file whose existence is confirmed. For example, it holds the title of a TV program, the name of a singer, the name of a popular song, and the like.

  The address information acquisition management unit 2504 includes a file search request unit 2508, an address information notification unit 2509, and a search frequency specifying unit 2510.

  The file search request unit 2508 requests the P2P parent terminal 2502 to search for a predetermined file or confirm existence. The predetermined file is specified by, for example, a name generated from a word / phrase stored in the search target information dictionary unit 2505.

  In addition, when the P2P parent terminal 2502 finds or searches for a predetermined file from the regional network terminal, the file retrieval requesting unit 2508 checks the IP address of the regional network terminal where the retrieval or existence is confirmed or detected. Is acquired from the P2P parent terminal 2502, and the identification information is stored in the search file list database 2506.

  The search frequency specifying means 2510 is based on a plurality of files whose search or existence has been confirmed by the P2P parent terminal 2502 (for example, the number of times the same file has been searched, the number of times the existence has been confirmed, Identify the length of time). Based on this specific result, it is determined whether or not harmful file exchange is performed.

  The address information notifying unit 2509 indicates that a predetermined file has been searched for by the file search requesting unit 2508 or has been confirmed by the search frequency specifying unit 2510 with a search frequency exceeding a predetermined value. When the determination is made, the identification information of the regional network terminal having the predetermined file is notified.

  FIG. 26 exemplifies a sequence diagram for explaining operations of the address information acquisition apparatus 2501 and the P2P parent terminal 2502. In step S2601, the address information acquisition apparatus 2501 performs a search keyword selection process. For example, processing for selecting a search keyword is performed using information stored in the search object information dictionary unit 2505 or the search file list database. In step S2602, the address information acquisition apparatus 2501 transmits a file search request to the P2P parent terminal 2502. In response to this, the P2P parent terminal 2502 performs file search or confirmation of existence with respect to the regional network terminal. In step S2504, the identification information of the regional network terminal for which the file search or existence confirmation has been made or determined is transmitted from the P2P parent terminal 2502 to the address information acquisition apparatus 2501. Finally, monitoring result information is generated based on the identification information of the regional network terminal for which the file search or existence has been confirmed, and is transmitted from the address information acquisition device to the remote control device.

  FIG. 27 shows an example of monitoring result information in this embodiment. For example, in a regional network terminal having an IP address of 134.129.110.123, if an application program named WN-OZ is operating and performing file exchange, monitoring as illustrated in FIG. Result information is generated and transmitted from the address information acquisition device to the remote control device. Based on the name of the application program indicated between <APPLICATION-TYPE> and </ APPLICATION-TYPE>, it is determined whether or not the remote control device is an application program that performs malicious operations. Processing for limiting or relaxing the usable bandwidth of the regional network terminal may be performed. Note that the name of the application program is determined in the operation mode when the P2P parent terminal 2502 makes a request for file search or confirmation of existence, or is determined depending on the protocol for making the request. It may be. Alternatively, it may be determined by a part of the character string included in the response of the application program of the regional network terminal.

  (Embodiment 5: Main effects)

  Non-Patent Document 1 shows that 60 to 80% of traffic is occupied by file exchange. Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment, since the usable bandwidth of the regional network terminal performing file exchange is controlled, the usable bandwidth can be effectively controlled.

  According to the usable bandwidth control system and the usable bandwidth control method according to the present invention, it is possible to limit the communication bandwidth used by a terminal that is causing an increase in the amount of signal to a pinpoint, thereby preventing an increase in the amount of communication. Can be industrially useful.

Schematic diagram when the present invention is applied to an Internet service using cable television equipment Functional block diagram of usable bandwidth control system An example of a mode in which the setting information holding device 203 is connected to the global network via the gateway 202 An example of a mode in which the setting information holding device 203 is arranged on the global network 205 An example of a mode in which the remote control device 204 is arranged on the global network 205 An example of a mode in which the remote control device 204 is connected to the global network via the gateway 202 Functional block diagram of regional network terminal Example of usable bandwidth control command Example of usable bandwidth control information Flowchart explaining the processing flow of the regional network terminal Functional block diagram of the setting information holding device An example of a mode in which usable bandwidth control information is held Flowchart explaining processing flow of setting information holding device Functional block diagram of remote control device Example of monitoring result information Example of usable bandwidth control information change command An example of a table showing the correspondence between IP addresses and MAC addresses Flowchart explaining processing flow of remote control device Functional block diagram of the monitoring device Flow chart explaining the flow of processing of the monitoring device Sequence diagram for explaining the overall processing flow of the usable bandwidth control system Functional block diagram of regional network terminal Functional block diagram of the monitoring device Functional block diagram of the monitoring device Functional block diagram when the monitoring device is viewed from another perspective Sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the address information acquisition device and the P2P parent terminal Example of monitoring result information

Explanation of symbols

101 Gateway 102-1 Cable Modem 102-2 Cable Modem 102-3 Cable Modem 102-4 Cable Modem 103-1 Personal Computer 103-2 Personal Computer 103-3 Personal Computer 103-4 Personal Computer 104 Internet 105 Monitoring Device 106 Monitoring Results Information 107 Remote control device

Claims (11)

A regional network terminal connected to the global network via a gateway;
A setting information holding device that holds usable bandwidth control information that is information for controlling the usable bandwidth of the regional network terminal;
A remote control device which is a device for controlling the usable bandwidth of the regional network terminal;
A monitoring device disposed on a global network to monitor the data transmission enable state on the regional network terminal;
An available bandwidth control system comprising:
The regional network terminal is
An available bandwidth control command receiver for receiving an available bandwidth control command from the remote control device;
An available bandwidth control information obtaining unit capable of obtaining usable bandwidth control information from the setting information holding device based on the available bandwidth control command received by the usable bandwidth control command receiving unit;
An available bandwidth control unit for controlling the available bandwidth based on the available bandwidth control information;
Have
The setting information holding device includes:
An available bandwidth control information holding unit for holding available bandwidth control information;
An available bandwidth control information changing unit for changing the available bandwidth control information held in the available bandwidth control information holding unit;
An available bandwidth control information transmitting unit for transmitting the available bandwidth control information held in the available bandwidth control information holding unit;
Have
The remote control device is
A monitoring result information receiving unit that receives monitoring result information, which is information indicating a monitoring result related to a transmission enable state of data on the regional network terminal, from the monitoring device;
Usable bandwidth control information change command which is a command for changing usable bandwidth control information by the usable bandwidth control information changing unit of the setting information holding device based on the monitoring result information received by the monitoring result information receiving unit Usable bandwidth control information change command output unit for outputting,
An available bandwidth control command transmitter for transmitting an available bandwidth control command to a regional network terminal based on the monitoring result information received by the monitoring result information receiver;
Have
The monitoring device acquires transmission enablement state related information that is information related to the transmission enablement state in order to monitor the data transmission enablement state on the regional network terminal via the gateway. An information acquisition unit;
A monitoring result information transmitting unit for transmitting monitoring result information based on the transmission enabling state related information acquired by the transmission enabling state related information acquiring unit;
An available bandwidth control system. The usable bandwidth control information acquisition unit of the regional network terminal is
Operation start dependency acquisition means for acquiring usable bandwidth control information from the setting information holding device based on its own operation start work;
Based on the usable bandwidth control command received by the usable bandwidth control command receiving unit, usable bandwidth control command dependent operation starting means for performing the operation start work of the usable bandwidth control information acquiring unit;
The usable bandwidth control system according to claim 1, comprising:   The usable bandwidth control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication of the regional network terminal to the gateway is a shared bandwidth communication with another regional network terminal.   The transmission enabling state related information acquisition unit of the monitoring device is an output signal for acquiring output signal amount information which is information for indicating a signal amount output by the regional network terminal as transmission enabling state related information The usable bandwidth control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a quantity information acquisition unit.   The use according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transmission enabling state related information acquisition unit of the monitoring device includes a file exchange detection unit for detecting whether a regional network terminal is performing a peer-to-peer file exchange. Possible bandwidth control system.   The usable bandwidth control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the setting information holding device is arranged on a global network.   The usable bandwidth control system according to claim 1, wherein the setting information holding device is connected to a global network via a gateway.   The usable bandwidth control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the setting information holding device is not arranged on a global network.   The usable bandwidth control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the remote control device is arranged on a global network.   The usable bandwidth control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the remote control device is connected to a global network via a gateway. A regional network terminal connected to the global network via a gateway;
A setting information holding device that holds usable bandwidth control information that is information for controlling the usable bandwidth of the regional network terminal;
A remote control device which is a device for controlling the usable bandwidth of the regional network terminal;
A monitoring device disposed on a global network to monitor the data transmission enable state on the regional network terminal;
An available bandwidth control method using
The monitoring apparatus acquires transmission enablement state related information that is information related to the transmission enablement state in order to monitor the data transmission enablement state on the regional network terminal via the gateway. An information acquisition step;
Based on the transmission enablement state related information acquired in the transmission enablement state related information acquisition step, the monitoring device displays monitoring result information which is information indicating a monitoring result regarding the data transmission enablement state on the regional network terminal. A monitoring result information transmission step to be transmitted;
A monitoring result information receiving step in which the remote control device receives monitoring result information from the monitoring device;
Change of usable bandwidth control information that is a command for changing usable bandwidth control information held by the setting information holding device based on the monitoring result information received by the remote control device in the monitoring result information receiving step. An available bandwidth control information change command output step for outputting a command;
An available bandwidth control command transmission step in which the remote control device transmits an available bandwidth control command to the regional network terminal based on the monitoring result information received in the monitoring result information receiving step;
An available bandwidth control information holding step in which the setting information holding device holds the available bandwidth control information; and
The available bandwidth control information changing step in which the setting information holding device changes the available bandwidth control information held by the available bandwidth control information holding step;
An available bandwidth control command receiving step in which the regional network terminal receives an available bandwidth control command from the remote control device;
An available bandwidth control information transmitting step in which the setting information holding device transmits the available bandwidth control information held in the available bandwidth control information holding step;
The regional network terminal can acquire usable bandwidth control information for setting its own usable bandwidth from the setting information holding device based on the usable bandwidth control command received in the usable bandwidth control command receiving step. An available bandwidth control information acquisition step;
The usable bandwidth control step for the regional network terminal to control the usable bandwidth based on the usable bandwidth control information;
An available bandwidth control method including executing

Images