JP2007226706A - Optical path loan method, optical path loan program, and setting controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To activate loan to a plurality of users with respect to an extra path generated with VNT(Virtual Network Topology) configurations. <P>SOLUTION: A setting controller 2 executes a procedure to collect the information of an extra path from an optical network system, and to store it in the data table of a database 12, a procedure to display a picture including the display column of the closing time of application and the current unit charge interlinked with the number of application of the already applied extra path and the input column of the number of application of the extra path in user terminals 21 to 25; and a procedure to store the number of application input to the input column in the data table for every user terminal, and to determine each user of a user terminal who has input the number of application as each loan object user concerning unit charge in proportion to the number of application and the resource quantity of the extra path. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In recent years, opticalization of communication networks has progressed, and GMPLS (Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching) has been proposed to control various layers in an integrated manner by optical networks, and economically accommodates large-capacity IP traffic in the GMPLS network. For example, there is a VNT (Virtual Network Topology) configuration (Non-Patent Document 1). VNT is a topology formed by a plurality of optical paths as a virtual network on a physical network, and an optical path is treated as a link when viewed from the IP layer.

  The VNT configuration refers to a process of changing the topology of the VNT network by setting and releasing an optical path. The VNT configuration requires less topology change cost and change time than a conventional network that physically changes the line arrangement. Then, by efficiently configuring the VNT according to the fluctuation of traffic demand, efficient resources (physical network) with high network utilization efficiency can be used.

  By the way, when a user rents a communication band, determination of a rental fee becomes an important issue.

The technique described in Patent Document 1 is a method for determining a rental fee by auction or bidding. This method is a method in which a plurality of network operators auctions for a user's rent request and decides a network operator to be rented. If there is one network operator, the rent fee may be high. . Further, since the rental fee is determined by bidding of a plurality of users, the rental fee applied by other users is not known, and the user needs to apply for a high rental fee. Also, the rental fee is not necessarily the network operator's desired fee.
JP 2002-230444 A Takashi Miyamura, Rie Hayashi et al., “Implementation and Evaluation of Multi-layer Traffic Engineering Function by PCE”, IEICE, IEICE Technical Report, PN2005-33 (2005-08), pp.75-80

  When VNT configuration is performed, an extra path is generated. For example, the path between the ground that had a path in the daytime becomes unnecessary at night, or the number of required paths may be reduced and the optical path may be released. Equipment is wasted. Therefore, by lending the surplus path generated by the VNT configuration to the user, the network operator can ensure profit.

  The conventional technology has not provided an appropriate price with a balance between supply and demand for surplus path lending fees generated by the VNT configuration. For this reason, the network operator cannot get a borrower if the rental fee is increased, and cannot recover the facility fee if the rental fee is reduced.

  For example, when a user leases network resources as a dedicated line, it is necessary to adjust the bandwidth of the dedicated line to the peak traffic in order to avoid problems such as quality degradation due to congestion, and the rental fee becomes high. Therefore, a user who wants to borrow at a low price without requiring the quality of a dedicated line cannot borrow network resources.

  If the surplus path lending fee generated by the VNT configuration becomes an appropriate price in accordance with the supply-demand balance, lending is activated and the number of lending increases, which is beneficial to both network operators and users.

  Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to activate lending to a plurality of users for surplus paths generated by the VNT configuration.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an optical path lending method for lending an unused unused path in an optical network system in which a network topology is virtually configured by an optical path, wherein a computer includes the optical network. A procedure for collecting information on the surplus path from the system and storing it in a data table of the database, a deadline for application, and a display field of a current unit fee linked to the number of applications for the surplus path already applied, and The procedure for displaying a screen including an input field for the number of applications in the surplus path on the user terminal, and the number of applications input in the input field are stored in the data table for each user terminal, and the number of applications is input. For each user of the user terminal, in the rental fee proportional to the number of applications and the resource amount of the surplus path, A procedure for determining each user to be lent, and a procedure for setting a communication device on the route of the surplus path of the optical network system so that communication on the user terminal of the user to be lent is performed on the surplus path; , Is executed.

  As a result, all the applied users can borrow the surplus pass at an appropriate price by sharing the lending fee according to the number of applications, and the surplus pass lending generated by the VNT configuration is activated.

  In the present invention, when the number of applications of the surplus pass that has already been applied for is less than a predetermined minimum number of applications after the deadline for application has passed, the current unit fee is reduced and lent. It is characterized by extending the recruitment.

  As a result, when the number of applications is small, the user who applied for it does not need to be lent out at an expensive fee.

  When the computer accepts the input of the number of applications for the surplus pass after the computer starts lending the surplus pass to the lending target user, the lending is performed based on the lending fee calculated at the deadline time. It is characterized by lending at a charge equivalent to the remaining time until the end time.

  As a result, even after the start of lending, the lending is flexibly received, so that an efficient surplus path can be used even at a low cost.

  According to the present invention, when there are a plurality of surplus path candidates having the same start point and end point, the computer selects a candidate satisfying at least one of a candidate having a small number of relay nodes and a candidate having a large free bandwidth amount. It is selected as the surplus path to be lent out.

  Thereby, the user who applied can perform communication from the start point to the end point with low response.

  The present invention is characterized in that the computer lends another candidate for the surplus path that has the same start point and end point when the bandwidth used for the surplus path exceeds the allowable communication capacity of the surplus path. To do.

  As a result, communication can be continued even when a surplus path applied for due to a failure or the like cannot be used.

  The present invention is an optical path rental program for causing a computer to execute the optical path rental method.

  As a result, all the applied users can borrow the surplus pass at an appropriate price by sharing the lending fee according to the number of applications, and the surplus pass lending generated by the VNT configuration is activated.

  The present invention relates to a setting control device that lends unused surplus paths in an optical network system that virtually configures a network topology with optical paths, and collects information on the surplus paths from the optical network system, and Information collection unit to be stored in the data table, the application deadline, the current unit fee display field linked to the number of applications for the surplus path already applied, and the number of applications for the surplus path An information processing unit that displays a screen including a field on the user terminal, and stores the number of applications input in the input field in the data table for each user terminal, and each user of the user terminal that has input the number of applications, Determine the user to be rented at the rental fee proportional to the number of applications and the resource amount of the surplus path. A calculation unit, and a line setting instruction unit that sets a communication device on the route of the surplus path of the optical network system so that communication related to the user terminal of the lent target user is performed on the surplus path. Features.

  As a result, all the applied users can borrow the surplus pass at an appropriate price by sharing the lending fee according to the number of applications, and the surplus pass lending generated by the VNT configuration is activated.

  According to the present invention, the user can borrow a surplus path at an appropriate price, and the surplus path lending generated by the VNT configuration is activated.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to construct the communication network equipment amount (resource) based on the total amount of user applications, and another user can use the communication network resource (optical Pass bandwidth), and efficient facility operation becomes possible.

  The user can decide whether to borrow while confirming the rental fee of the optical path to be borrowed, and can borrow the optical path at an appropriate fee whenever necessary.

  By soliciting optical path rentals, a communication carrier can share a same optical path by sharing a plurality of users with different activity patterns, and can provide a communication band at a low cost. By performing the VNT configuration, it is possible to effectively utilize network facilities that are excessively wasted depending on the time of day, so that even if the fee is low, the rental fee income increases.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an example of a system configuration for explaining the present embodiment. The network system includes an optical network 1 and a setting control device 2. The optical network 1 is configured by connecting edge routers 41 to 44 and optical cross connects 31 to 33, and user terminals 21 to 25 are connected to the edge routers 41 to 44. The setting control device 2 transmits a control message for setting an optical path to each device in the optical network 1. The node is a general term for the edge routers 41 to 44 and the optical cross connects 31 to 33.

  Each device of the network system is configured as a computer including at least a memory serving as storage means used when performing arithmetic processing and an arithmetic processing device that performs the arithmetic processing. The memory is constituted by a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like. Arithmetic processing is realized by an arithmetic processing unit configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program on a memory. In addition to each device, the present embodiment includes a program for causing each device to execute arithmetic processing, and a computer-readable recording medium that records the program.

  FIG. 2 is an example of an optical path configuration configured in the optical network 1. The optical paths 51 to 53 are set between the edge routers 41 to 43, respectively. For example, the optical path 51 is used for communication between the edge router 41 and the edge router 42.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a WEB screen 61 that is open to the Internet for soliciting optical path rental. The WEB screen 61 includes an application guideline screen 62 and an application screen 63 for the user terminals 21 to 25 to apply. Details will be described later in the description of the operation with reference to the flowchart.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the setting control device 2.

  The setting control device 2 includes an information collection unit 11, a calculation unit 13, a database 12, an information processing unit 14, a line setting instruction unit 15, and a control interface with an external device. Hereinafter, each component of the setting control apparatus 2 will be specifically described.

  The information collection unit 11 collects information such as the optical path capacity and free bandwidth, and the borrowing request from the user from the communication devices in the network. As a method of collecting information from a communication device, there are a commercially available measurement system such as NetFlow and sFlow, and a method using a protocol such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). NetFlow and sFlow are published in the literature “Multimedia Promotion Center,“ Survey Report on Internet Traffic with Broadband Dissemination ”, [online], [Search February 24, 2006], Internet <URL: http: //www.fmmc.or.jp/fileserv/31/1078460548_h029.pdf> ”. NetFlow is a measurement technology from Cisco. sFlow is a measurement technique of InMon (see RFC 3176). Further, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-79668, a band to be allocated to the next period may be determined based on a band usage rate in a predetermined period.

  The calculation unit 13 calculates the information in the data table held by the database 12 to the latest value using the information passed from the information collection unit 11 and the optical path information held by the database 12.

  The information processing unit 14 processes the information so that the user can check the information held in the database 12 in the form of a WEB screen 61 (see FIG. 3).

  The line setting instructing unit 15 instructs each edge router to multiplex communication traffic between the user terminals 21 to 25 for which application has been made on the corresponding optical path so as to meet the lending start time of the solicited optical path.

  The control interface with the external device serves as an entrance / exit for transmitting / receiving information to / from the external device.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a data table stored in the database 12 that holds information such as optical path capacity and empty bandwidth.

  The data table includes the start and end nodes for which the optical path is set, the optical path route, the path capacity, the used capacity, the rentable capacity, the lent bandwidth, the application deadline time, the rent start time, the rent end time, and the request capacity (see FIG. 3). Corresponding to the number of applications), applicant ID, and unit charge. The unit fee is a rental fee when the number of applications is one. Therefore, each user sets a rental fee as a result of multiplying the unit fee by the number of applications. The data table also holds network topology information and the like (not shown).

  For example, the path from the edge router 41 to the edge router 42 is applied by three applicants (ABC012, DEF345, GHI678). If the number of applicants of the three applicants is the same (in other words, when three people apply for the same amount of bandwidth), the rental fee of ¥ 120,000 is divided by 3 [persons] Share 40,000 each. Then, when there is another applicant by the application deadline, the rental fee of ¥ 120,000 is divided by 4 [persons] and is shared by ¥ 30,000 per person. When the application deadline is reached, all applicants are rented users.

  6 and 7 are flowcharts for explaining processing in the case of lending an optical path. It is assumed that the communication band in the optical path 51 is vacant and can be lent to the user.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the setting control device 2 and the user terminals 21 to 25.

  The setting control device 2 starts the recruitment by posting the loan solicitation contents on the recruitment guideline screen 62 in the WEB screen 61 and waiting for the application from the user terminals 21 to 25 (S1). The optical path to be rented is, for example, an optical path with a sufficient capacity based on a result of investigation of the usage status of the optical path group managed by the setting control device 2. In the application guideline screen 62, the “section” of the optical path, the “minimum unit” of lending, the “lending start time”, the “lending end time”, the “number of applications”, the “treatment when the application is less than the planned number”, “Current application number”, “Unit fee” (see FIG. 5) corresponding to the application number, and “Deadline time” are displayed. In the example of FIG. 3, “If the number of applications is less than 20, a separate consultation” and “Number of applications 160” are displayed. Thus, the optical path to be lent is lent if the total number of applications is in the range of 20 to 160.

  When the user terminal 21 borrows a bandwidth in the optical path, the user terminal 21 applies for a loan solicitation (S2). Specifically, the setting control apparatus 2 is accessed and the WEB screen 61 is acquired. The WEB screen 61 includes a recruitment guideline screen 62 in which a recruitment guideline is written for each optical path that is currently being lent for recruitment. The WEB screen 61 searches for an optical path between the ground to be rented. If the application guideline screen 62 is the target optical path recruitment screen between the ground, check the “lending start time”, “number of applications”, “current unit fee”, etc. Enter the number of applications to be borrowed in the "Apply" column and click the "Apply" button to apply for borrowing.

  The amount of bandwidth to be borrowed is indicated by the minimum unit × N times on the application screen 63, so that the user can specify and apply for the necessary amount of bandwidth, and can efficiently use the optical path. Each time there is an application, the setting control device 2 revises the “current application number” and “current unit fee” on the application guideline screen 62 and posts them on the application guideline screen 62.

  The setting control device 2 reflects the application for S2 in the “current unit charge” (S3). Since the “current unit fee” is a fee obtained by dividing the optical pass fee by the number of applications, the “current unit fee” decreases as the “number of applications” increases. The “current application number” and “current unit fee” on the application guideline screen 62 are revised and posted on the application guideline screen 62.

  The user terminal 22 accesses the setting control device 2 and confirms the application guideline screen 62 reflected in S3. If the “current unit fee” is lower than expected, specify the “number of applications” on the application screen 63. Apply for borrowing (S4). The setting control device 2 reflects the application of S4 in the “current unit charge” (S5).

  When the application deadline time or the number of applications reaches the planned number, the application for S1 is closed. If the number of applications is equal to or greater than the number of applications, the setting control device 2 confirms the application (S6). Otherwise, the application is unconfirmed (S7), leaving the application guidelines screen 62 as it is, and accepting additional applications. (Return to S1). In other words, in S7, when the application deadline has passed, the setting control device 2 does not lend out the surplus pass when the number of surplus applications already applied for is less than the predetermined minimum number of applications. , Lower the current unit rate and extend the loan solicitation.

  The setting control device 2 determines an application after S6 (S8). When the setting control device 2 receives the input of the number of surplus pass applications from the information processing unit 14 after starting lending the surplus pass to the lending target user, the setting control device 2 calculates the unit fee calculated by the calculation unit 13 at the deadline time. Based on the above, it may be lent at a charge equivalent to the remaining time until the rental end time (time-based charge).

  Then, in order to instruct the respective edge routers of the optical network 1 to communicate the communication traffic between the communication apparatuses of the users who have applied from the user terminal on the lent target path in time for the rented start time of the solicited optical path. Path setting (S9, S10). In addition, since an optical path is shared between the plurality of user terminals 21 and 22, the optical path is multiplexed.

  When the user terminals 21 and 22 reach the lending start time, multiplexed and assigned optical paths are set, and the user terminals 21 and 22 can communicate with each other.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a line lending method in the setting control device 2.

  The information collection unit 11 refers to the data table of the database 12 and searches for an optical path that can be lent out from a free bandwidth or the like (S21). The information collection unit 11 periodically collects the optical path capacity and free bandwidth information from the communication devices in the network, and updates the database 12. Further, the calculation unit 13 may calculate the optimal solution of the optical path route from the latest used bandwidth of the optical path stored in the data table or the bandwidth information of the free bandwidth, and may rewrite the information in the data table as needed.

  The information processing unit 14 acquires information on the optical paths that can be lent from the database 12, and displays the information on the WEB screen 61 to start lending recruitment (S22). The application deadline is determined for each optical pass, and applications are accepted until the application deadline.

  The information collecting unit 11 accepts an application for borrowing for the optical path that has been lent out through the WEB screen 61 (S23). The user applies by designating the degree (number of applications) of using the optical path to be lent.

  Whenever there is an application from the user, the information collection unit 11 registers information related to the application (user ID, bid price, etc.) in the database 12 and notifies the calculation unit 13 of the information related to the application (S24).

  The calculation unit 13 updates the lending solicitation content based on the application history already received and the current application (S25). The user's rental fee is calculated, for example, by dividing a predetermined fee (light path rental revenue) by the number of applications applied so that the user who has already applied and the user who has applied this time share.

  The information processing unit 14 processes the lending solicitation contents rewritten in the database 12 to reflect the information on the WEB screen 61 viewed by the user, and displays the latest processed information on the Web screen 61 (S26). The user can view the latest reflected information.

  The calculation unit 13 determines whether or not the branch condition “the application deadline time is satisfied” is satisfied (S27). If satisfied (S27, Yes), S28 is executed, and if not satisfied (S27, No), S23 is determined. Execute. If the answer is S27, Yes, the information processing unit 14 displays reception stop information on the WEB screen 61 in order to stop the lending solicitation, and proceeds to S28.

  The calculation unit 13 determines a user to be lent out for the optical path from the application registered in the database 12 (S28). All the users who have applied for are set as users for lending optical paths, and the amount of optical path bandwidth to be used is determined in proportion to the number of applications. Then, the information on the data table held in the database 12 for notifying the lending target user of the lending target optical path is notified to the line designation instructing unit. The information to be notified is information necessary for communicating the communication traffic between the communication devices of the rental target users on the rental target optical path.

  The line setting instruction unit 15 issues an instruction to the edge router to lend the optical path in time for the lending start time (S29). The edge routers 41 to 43 are instructed to communicate the communication traffic between the user terminals 21 to 25 of the lent target user on the lent target optical path. Since the rental target user is a plurality of users, the optical path is multiplexed for each user.

  FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram when there are a plurality of lending target path candidates having the same start point and end point. It is assumed that an optical path 54 is newly added to the optical path configuration shown in FIG. Further, it is assumed that the user terminal 22 has applied for use of a bandwidth exceeding the capacity of the optical path 51 between the edge router 41 and the edge router 42.

  The calculation unit 13 employs a candidate satisfying at least one criterion among candidates having a small number of relay nodes and a candidate having a large free bandwidth as a lending target path. As a result of calculating network resources (bandwidth, etc.) to be allocated for the number of applications, the calculation unit 13 determines that the total network resources to be allocated is not sufficient for the network resources of the optical path 51. At that time, the calculation unit 13 refers to other information in the data table and the network topology information held in the database 12 to determine whether there is a candidate for an optical path of another route sharing the start point and the end point with the optical path 51. Calculate from the free bandwidth of each optical path.

  For example, the calculation unit 13 is a detour route physically different from the optical path 51 for the set of the optical path 52 and the optical path 53 and the optical path 54, but the user uses the same optical path as the optical path 51. Get what you can do.

  First, when there is a capacity in the set of the optical path 52 and the optical path 53, the communication traffic of the user terminal 22 that has applied for is assigned to the set of the optical path 52 and the optical path 53. Then, the calculation unit 13 registers the assignment result in the data table. The line setting instructing unit 15 instructs the edge router 41 and the edge router 42 to connect via the edge router 43 using the set of the optical path 52 and the optical path 53 and to communicate the communication traffic of the user terminal 22.

  On the other hand, when there is no capacity in the set of the optical path 52 and the optical path 53, the calculation unit 13 uses the network topology information and the optical path data table stored in the database 12 to determine whether or not there is a candidate for establishing a new optical path. Refer to and calculate. As a result, it is assumed that the optical path 54 has been acquired as a candidate for establishing a new optical path.

  The line setting instruction unit 15 sets a new optical path 54 between the edge router 41 and the edge router 42 so as to set a new optical path 54 by the route of the optical cross connect 31 → the optical cross connect 33 → the optical cross connect 32. Instruct each device above. The optical path 54 communicates the traffic of the user terminal that has requested addition.

  The present invention described above can be widely modified without departing from the spirit thereof as follows.

  For example, the program executed by the setting control device 2 may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. . Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information such as a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.

  The program may be for realizing a part of the above-described processing. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the above-mentioned process in combination with the program already recorded on another apparatus, what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

  This embodiment can be used for an industry that leases a communication band in an optical path configured in the optical network 1 to a user.

It is a block diagram which shows the network system regarding one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the optical path set to the network system regarding one Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen figure which shows the WEB screen for providing the sharing opportunity of the rental object path | pass regarding one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the setting control apparatus regarding one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the optical path data table which the database of the setting control apparatus regarding one Embodiment of this invention hold | maintains. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow of the setting control apparatus and user terminal regarding one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the line rental method in the setting control apparatus regarding one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram when there are a plurality of lending target path candidates having the same start point and end point according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical network 2 Setting control apparatus 11 Information collection part 12 Database 13 Calculation part 14 Information processing part 15 Line setting instruction | indication part

Claims (7)

In an optical network system that virtually configures a network topology with an optical path, an optical path lending method that lends an unused surplus path,
Computer
Collecting information of the surplus path from the optical network system and storing it in a data table of a database;
Procedure for displaying on the user terminal a screen including an application deadline, a display field for the current unit fee linked to the number of applications for the surplus pass already applied, and an input field for the number of applications for the surplus pass When,
The number of applications input in the input field is stored in the data table for each user terminal, and each user of the user terminal that has input the number of applications is determined based on the rental fee and the surplus path resource amount proportional to the number of applications. , The procedure for deciding each user to rent,
A procedure for setting a communication device on the route of the surplus path of the optical network system so as to perform communication on the user terminal of the lent target user on the surplus path;
An optical path rental method characterized in that   When the number of applications for the surplus pass that has already been applied is less than the predetermined minimum number of applications when the deadline for application has passed, the computer extends the lending application by reducing the current unit fee. The optical path rental method according to claim 1.   When the computer accepts an input of the number of applications for the surplus pass after starting to lend the surplus pass to the user to be lent, the computer calculates the amount until the lending end time based on the lending fee calculated at the deadline time. The optical path rental method according to claim 1, wherein the optical path is lent at a charge corresponding to the remaining time.   When there are a plurality of surplus path candidates having the same start point and end point, the computer lends a candidate satisfying at least one criterion among a candidate having a small number of relay nodes and a candidate having a large free bandwidth. The optical path rental method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the optical path is lent as a surplus path.   The computer lends another candidate of the surplus path having the same start point and end point when the bandwidth usage of the lent surplus path exceeds the allowable communication capacity of the surplus path. The optical path rental method according to any one of claims 4 to 5.   An optical path rental program for causing a computer to execute the optical path rental method according to any one of claims 1 to 5. In an optical network system that virtually configures a network topology with optical paths, a setting control device that lends unused surplus paths,
An information collecting unit for collecting information on the surplus path from the optical network system and storing the information in a data table of a database;
Information for displaying on the user terminal a screen including an application deadline, a display field for the current unit fee linked to the number of applications for the surplus pass already applied, and an input field for the number of applications for the surplus pass Processing part,
The number of applications input in the input field is stored in the data table for each user terminal, and each user of the user terminal that has input the number of applications is determined based on the rental fee and the surplus path resource amount proportional to the number of applications. , A calculation unit that determines each user to be lent,
A line setting instructing unit for setting a communication device on the route of the surplus path of the optical network system so that communication on the user terminal of the user to be lent is performed on the surplus path;
A setting control device comprising:

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