JP2009055357A - Node device, communications network, path setting method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avert the situation where a specific communications network occupies resources in the situation where communication path allocation requests generate in a short time, in a concentrated manner. <P>SOLUTION: This method includes receiving a communication path setting request or a trigger signal from another node; dividing a resources allocation to a communication path into a gradual process of one step or more, or controlling an allocation resources amount variably based on the communication path setting request; deciding resources allocation schedule information, containing information on an operational timing or the allocation resources amount of each step; storing it in a resources allocation schedule information storing means; and transmitting a control message for the resources allocation, stepwise ranging over one step or more, in accordance with the resources allocation schedule information obtained from the resources allocation schedule information storing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a node device, a communication network, a path setting method, and a program, and more particularly, to a network control system including an IP router, a TDM cross-connect device, an optical cross-connect device, a ROADM (Reconfigurable Add Drop Multiplexer) device, and the like. The present invention relates to an applied node device, a communication network, a path setting method, and a program.

  FIG. 27 shows a network configuration targeted by the present invention.

  The communication network shown in FIG. 1 includes a client network (NW) 1 and a transport network (NW) 2 that transfers signals of the client NW 1. The traffic of the client device 11 is transferred to the client device 11 of the opposing client NW1 via the node device 21 of the transport NW2.

  In order to realize flexible traffic engineering in the communication network as described above, the communication path network is indispensable. In communication channel networks, autonomous decentralized channel control is attracting attention as an effective means for improving operability and ensuring scalability.

As means for controlling the communication path, MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1) and GMPLS (Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching) (for example, standardized by IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force)) Non-Patent Document 2).
IETF RFC 3031 Multi-Protocol Label Switching Architecture IETF RFC 3471 Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) Signaling Functional Description

  However, the channel assignment method of the conventional channel control technology is a method for allocating requested resources at one time between each channel assignment ground. Therefore, in a network situation where there are few free resources, if resources are allocated simultaneously between multiple grounds when assigning multiple communication paths, the communication paths between specific grounds occupy resources and are requested from other grounds. As a result, there is a problem in that there is no resource to be allocated to the communication path allocation, and a ground is generated in which all connectivity is lost. In particular, when allocating a communication channel for failure relief when a failure occurs, the above-mentioned problem becomes more serious because communication channel allocation requests are generated in a short period of time in a situation where there are fewer usable resources than normal. To do.

  In addition, when standard signaling such as GMPLS is used in a bandwidth shortage situation, the communication path that first requested the bandwidth occupies most of the limited bandwidth. This is because bandwidth allocation is performed based on the principle of “First-come First-served”. However, when there is a request for ensuring the connectivity of a plurality of clients, it is important to variably control the amount of bandwidth allocated to each communication channel to realize equal bandwidth allocation to more communication channels.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in a situation where channel allocation requests are generated in a short time by performing resource allocation for performing channel allocation in failure relief step by step, It is an object of the present invention to provide a node device, a communication network, a path setting method, and a program that can avoid a communication path from occupying resources.

  The present invention avoids resource allocation contention that occurs when a communication channel failure in a communication network is recovered based on a conventional channel control technology based on conventional autonomous distributed processing or centralized control processing, and the requested multiple communication channels as a whole. In order to ensure the maximum connectivity, the following node device, communication network, and path setting method are provided.

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

The present invention (Claim 1) is a node device having a function of exchanging control messages and generating / deleting a communication path triggered by reception of a trigger signal composed of a client device and a management device, or reception of a trigger signal. As a trigger, it is a node device that switches to a backup channel or sets an alternative channel,
Control message receiving means 121-1 for receiving a communication path setting request or trigger signal from another node;
Resource allocation means 126 that divides resource allocation for a communication path into one or more stages of processing based on a communication path setting request, or variably controls the allocated resource amount;
Resource allocation schedule determining means 127 for determining resource allocation schedule information including information related to the execution timing of each stage or the amount of allocated resources, and storing it in the resource allocation schedule information storage means 129;
Control message transmission means 121-2 for transmitting a control message for resource allocation step by step in one or more stages according to the resource allocation schedule information acquired from the resource allocation schedule information storage means 129.

The present invention (Claim 2) provides the resource allocation schedule information as follows:
It includes transmission schedule information of a communication path resource allocation message, information on resource allocation timing and allocated resource amount in a configuration node device that is a component of the communication path, or schedule priority information.

The present invention (Claim 3) is a node device having a function of generating / deleting a communication path triggered by reception of a trigger signal from a client device or a management device,
Means for receiving a resource allocation message including a resource allocation schedule at the time of channel allocation from another node;
Means for storing the resource allocation information of the received resource allocation message in the resource information storage means, and transmitting the resource allocation message according to the resource allocation schedule information of the resource allocation schedule information storage means;
Means for allocating resources to the communication path based on the resource allocation information.

The present invention (Claim 4) is a node device having a function of generating / deleting a communication path triggered by reception of a trigger signal from a client device or a management device,
Means for collecting resource allocation schedule information for communication path allocation requests from other nodes by receiving a control message and comparing the amount of allocated resources or resource allocation schedule information among a plurality of resource allocation schedule information;
When resource allocation schedule information conflicts, a control message is transmitted to the transmission source of the resource allocation schedule information to notify the occurrence of conflict, or a shortage resource is calculated and controlled to the transmission source of the resource allocation schedule information Means for transmitting a message and notifying insufficient resource information.

The present invention (Claim 5) is the node device according to Claim 4,
A means of receiving a conflict occurrence notification or insufficient resource information;
A means for changing the communication path setting route or the bandwidth allocation schedule information triggered by the occurrence of a conflict occurrence notification or insufficient resource information;
Means for retrying path setting in accordance with node setting information.

The present invention (Claim 6) is the node device according to Claims 1 to 5,
Means for defining a group of communication channels, defining priority information for the group communication channel, defining priority information for member communication channels as constituent elements of the group communication channel, and transmitting to other nodes;
Or
Based on the priority information of the group communication path or member communication path, it further has means for defining a waiting time for communication path setting and determining resource allocation schedule information so that resources are preferentially allocated to communication paths with higher priority.

According to the present invention (Claim 7), in the node device according to Claims 1 to 6,
Means for transmitting an allocation schedule update message for updating schedule information received from another node device to another node device;
Means for changing the allocation schedule even stored in the resource allocation schedule information storage means of the own node apparatus according to the content of the received allocation schedule update message.

  According to the present invention (Claim 8), the failure detection of the group communication path or the member communication path, the change notification of the traffic amount of the client signal transferred to the operator device or the group communication path or the member communication path, or the group This is a node device having means for executing a resource allocation schedule triggered by reception of a trigger signal such as a notification of a change in the number of members of a communication path or a notification of a change in the resource sharing status or availability of a shared standby communication path.

The present invention (Claim 9) is a means for setting the resource allocation schedule information stored once in the resource allocation schedule information storage means once triggered by the occurrence of an event including failure switching or trigger signal reception,
Or
Failure detection of group communication path or member communication path, operator operation, notification of fluctuation of traffic volume of client signal transferred to group communication path or member communication path, or notification of fluctuation of number of members of group communication path, or When a communication path to which resource allocation has been performed, or a spare communication path that has not been performed, or a failure has occurred, triggered by the reception of a trigger signal that includes a notification of changes in the resource sharing status or availability of the shared standby communication path Means for changing the allocated resource amount for alternative communication set in
Or
Means for determining or changing one or more stages of resource allocation schedule information and storing them in the resource allocation schedule information storage means;
Means for transmitting resource allocation schedule information to another node.

The present invention (Claim 10) is the node device according to Claim 6,
Means for determining the priority of the member communication path based on the amount of traffic of the upper network transferred to each member communication path;

The present invention (claim 11) is the node device according to claim 3,
Means for canceling resource allocation processing and setting communication paths only for configurable resources when resource shortage occurs during resource allocation according to the resource allocation schedule of the received resource allocation message;
Alternatively, it includes any means for notifying other node devices of the occurrence of a resource shortage or a settable resource amount.

According to the present invention (Claim 12), in the node device according to Claims 1 to 11,
A means for switching when the set path becomes unusable or resetting the communication path multiple times,
Means for determining different resource allocation schedules according to the number of switching times or the number of times of channel resetting;
Means for storing different resource allocation schedules in the storage means depending on the number of times of switching, the number of times of communication resetting or the number of times of trigger signal reception;
Means for transmitting different resource allocation schedules according to the number of channel reset times;
including.

The present invention (Claim 13) is the node apparatus according to Claim 12,
When the node device has a function of recovering continuous or simultaneous multiple failures in the communication path,
When relieving multiple failures, a means for setting a communication path having a smaller resource amount than the original requested resource amount is included.

  The present invention (Claim 14) is a communication network comprising a client device, a management device, and a plurality of node devices according to claims 1 to 13.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

The present invention (Claim 15) is a node device having a function of exchanging control messages and generating / deleting a communication path triggered by reception of a trigger signal composed of a client device and a management device, or reception of a trigger signal. There is a communication path setting method in a node device that switches to a backup communication path or sets an alternative communication path as an opportunity,
When a communication path setting request or a trigger signal is received (step 1), resource allocation for the communication path is divided into one or more step processes, or the allocated resource amount is variably controlled (step 2).
Determine resource allocation schedule information including information on the execution timing or allocated resource amount of each stage (step 3), and store it in the resource allocation schedule information storage means (step 4),
A control message for resource allocation is transmitted step by step to one or more nodes according to the resource allocation schedule information acquired from the resource allocation schedule information storage means (step 5).

  The present invention (Claim 16) is a program for causing a computer to execute the function of the node device according to Claims 1 to 13.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the resource allocated to the communication path is divided into one or more stages to variably control the allocated resource amount, set with a granularity smaller than the client request value, and between a plurality of communication paths. By setting the communication channel by controlling the setting order of each communication channel, the bandwidth allocation amount can be made uniform. As a result, even when all of the requested traffic transfer requests cannot be accommodated, it is possible to secure the maximum number of accommodated clients and ensure the fairness of bandwidth allocation between clients.

  That is, by allocating resources in stages, contention for resource allocation is alleviated during communication channel setting, and resources can be allocated more fairly.

  Here, the step of resource allocation and the result of the stepwise allocation operation in the resource amount variable control operation can be one stage, or the allocated resource amount can be smaller than the requested resource amount.

  In addition, since connectivity to a larger number of communication paths can be ensured when a failure occurs, the self-sufficiency of services using the communication paths can be improved.

  Further, by efficiently changing the scheduled allocation schedule, efficient resource operation can be realized in backup channel management and the like.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Outline of the present invention]
The node device in the present invention exchanges control messages triggered by reception of a trigger signal such as a communication channel setting request from a client device, a management device, or another node device, and generates and deletes a communication channel autonomously and distributedly. It is a node device having a function to perform, has a failure detection function, and switches to a backup communication path or assigns an alternative communication path when receiving a trigger signal such as failure detection.

  Here, examples of the trigger signal include the following.

・ Communication channel setting request;
・ Communication channel deletion request;
・ Communication channel setting change request;
-Failure detection of group communication path or member communication path;
・ Operator operation;
-Notification of changes in the traffic volume of client signals transferred to group communication paths or member communication paths;
-Notification of changes in the number of members in the group communication path;
-Notification of changes in resource sharing status or availability of shared backup channels such as shared mesh restoration;
・ Communication channel transmission quality degradation notification, etc .;
-Time lapse notification for the specified time;
-Failure of lower-level communication path in multi-layer network configuration or recovery:
Here, the failure of the communication path can be caused by failure of a specified number of member communication paths in the group communication path. This specified number can be set to a value smaller than the number of all member communication paths of the group communication path, and can be designated by the ratio of the member communication paths or the absolute number.

  The resources in the present invention are fiber, communication device port, optical wavelength, time slot such as TDM, switching capacity, CPU resource, VLAN ID, IP address, MAC address, communication path cross connection, repeater, wavelength conversion device , Dispersion compensator or a combination thereof.

  The node device in the present invention is an optical cross-connect, ROADM, TDM cross-connect, Provider Backbone Transport (PBT) device, Multi-Service Provisioning Platform (MSPP), router, T-MPLS node, L2-SW, transmission device, etc. .

  The client device in the present invention is an optical cross-connect, ROADM, TDM cross-connect, Provider Backbone Transport (PBT) device, Multi-Service Provisioning Platform (MSPP), router, T-MPLS node, L2SW, transmission device, or the like.

  The management apparatus in the present invention is synonymous with the management server in the figure. The management device is a computer, a node device, or the like that realizes a management function corresponding to NMS (Network Management System), NRM (Network Resource Manager), PCE (Path Computation Element), EMS (Element Management System), or the like.

  The communication path in the present invention refers to a path, link, or the like set by the node device, or a group that is managed as a group. This includes a TCAT path and a VCAT path obtained by grouping wavelength paths. At this time, the member path of the VCAT path includes a case where the path is physically different. In addition, in the case of a multi-layer configuration, there are cases where different lower communication paths are passed. In addition, a forwarding adjacency link in which the above communication paths are virtually linked and managed is also included.

  The group in the present invention includes a Virtual Concatination Group, a group associated for failure relief, a Link Agrigation Group, a group based on client information of client traffic to be transferred, and other operational / management groups.

  In the present invention, communication channels are allocated when a trigger signal such as a communication channel setting request is received.

  FIG. 3 shows a network in which the working communication path of the present invention is set. In the figure, the node device # 1 is connected to the client device and the management device, the node device # 2, and the node device # 4. Active communication paths are set for the node devices # 1, # 2, and # 3. FIG. 4 shows a state in which a switching operation from the working communication path to the backup communication path has occurred due to the failure detection. When a failure occurs in the above-described reduced communication path, the node device # 1 detects the failure. The communication path is switched to the backup communication path of the node devices # 1, # 4, and # 3.

  FIG. 5 is an example of exchanging control messages when setting communication paths autonomously and distributed between node devices. As shown in FIG. 5, by using the control message, it is possible to allocate resources to the communication path in each node.

  “Ingress”, “Transit”, and “Egress” shown in FIG. 5 are terms representing the following node attributes.

-Ingress: Start node of the path:
-Transit: A node that is neither a start point nor an end point among path configuration nodes:
・ Egress: Path end node:
In the example of FIG. 3, since a path is set in a path such as node device # 1 → node device # 2 → node device # 3, node device # 1 is an Ingress node, node device # 2 is a Transit node, and node device #. 3 becomes an Egress node.

[First Embodiment]
The communication path allocation method (signaling method) of the present invention has two patterns, the 1-way signaling method of FIG. 6 and the 2-way signaling method of FIG. 7, and either of them can be applied. The 1-way signaling method in FIG. 6 transmits a resource allocation message from the Ingress node (starting node) via the Transit node (in the case of a path of 3 hops or more) to the Egress node, This is a method of performing resource allocation in one way.

  On the other hand, the 2-way signaling method in FIG. 7 is a method in which a communication path allocation message is transmitted from Ingress (starting node) to Egress (endpoint node) in the forward path, and a resource allocation message is transmitted from Egress to Ingress in the return path.

  Here, the “resource assignment message” includes control information for setting a resource for the node device, and the content thereof is not limited to this.

  The “communication path setting message” includes control information for setting a resource in a reserved state, and the content thereof is not limited to this.

  For example, when RSVP-TE (Resource reSerVation Protocol Traffic Engineering) is used as the signaling protocol, it is possible to use the Path message as a channel assignment message or a resource assignment message and the Resv message as a resource assignment message. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, it is also possible to set a communication path in a centralized manner from the management apparatus.

  In this specification, an example in which the 2-way signaling method is applied will be described, but it can also be realized by using the 1-way signaling method.

  When a plurality of member communication paths are set in groups, there are a method in which member information is included in one signaling message and the member information is set at one time, and another signaling message is transmitted for each member.

  The configuration of each node device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is shown below.

  FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the node device in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  The node device 100 includes a switching hardware 110 and a control device 120 that controls the switching hardware 110.

  The switching hardware 110 includes a control interface (IF) 111, a switching function unit 112, data transfer IFs 113 and 114, a traffic amount detection function unit 115, and a failure detection function unit 116.

  The control IF 111 is an interface for exchanging control messages with the control device 120.

  The switching function unit 112 is a function unit that allocates a cross connection for connecting the input data transfer IF 113 and the output data transfer IF 114.

  The data transfer IFs 113 and 114 are interfaces for transferring data.

  The control device 120 includes a control message transmission / reception IF 121, a signaling function unit 122, a routing function unit 123, a resource allocation contention control function unit 124, a route calculation function unit 125, a resource allocation function unit 126, a resource allocation schedule determination function unit 127, and resource information. It consists of DB128, resource allocation schedule DB129, and communication path information DB130.

  The control message transmission / reception IF 121 is an IF that transmits and receives control messages for the signaling protocol and routing protocol, and implements message exchange with other nodes.

  The signaling function unit 122 is a function unit that implements a protocol for channel assignment such as transmission / reception of a channel assignment request message. As a signaling protocol, for example, a protocol such as RSVP, LDP, or SIP can be used. Communication path information assigned by signaling is stored in the communication path information DB 130. The communication path information DB 130 will be described in detail in the sixth embodiment.

  The routing function unit 123 is a function that realizes a protocol for exchanging route information of a communication network. As the routing protocol, for example, protocols such as OSPF-TE, OSPF, BGP, IS-IS, and RIP can be used. Information collected by the routing protocol is stored in the resource information DB 128. The resource information DB 128 will be described later.

  The route calculation unit 125 performs route calculation based on the network information collected by the routing protocol implemented in the routing function unit 123 and stored in the resource information DB.

  The resource allocation function unit 126 determines whether or not the resource requested to be used in association with the channel allocation is available for the resource requested to be allocated by the channel allocation message of the signaling protocol. Is a functional unit that transmits a resource allocation command to the switching hardware 110 according to the node resource allocation schedule in the resource allocation schedule information. The allocated resource information is stored in the resource information DB 128. When the resource allocation schedule is determined, a resource allocation message is transmitted according to the resource allocation schedule.

  When a plurality of communication path allocation requests from a plurality of other nodes arrive, the resource allocation contention control function unit 124 determines the contention status of the resource allocation requests for these communication allocations according to the resource allocation schedule included in the communication path allocation request message. This function unit predicts and prioritizes resource allocation and notifies the signaling function unit 122 and resource allocation function unit 126 of the result.

  The resource allocation schedule determination function unit 127 is a function unit that determines resource allocation schedule information. Details of the resource allocation schedule information will be described later.

  The resource information DB 128 stores resource information of the communication network collected by the routing protocol. In addition, the usage status of these resources is also retained. As resource status information, resource identification information, resource status, amount of resources used, communication channel ID using the resource, and the like are managed.

  The communication path information DB 180 is a DB in which communication path information assigned by signaling is stored. The communication ID, the communication path information, the resource information used by the communication path, the presence / absence of a communication path failure, the priority information of the communication path, the service class information, and the like are stored.

  The resource allocation schedule determination function unit 127 is a function unit that determines a resource allocation schedule for a communication channel to be allocated when a communication channel allocation request is transmitted from the own node. A communication path allocation message or a resource allocation message is transmitted to another node according to the resource allocation message transmission schedule of the determined resource allocation schedule.

  The resource allocation schedule information determined in the present invention is shown below.

-Resource allocation schedule information-Resource allocation message transmission schedule-First message transmission information-Resource amount-Transmission waiting time-Second message transmission information-Resource amount-Transmission waiting time-Node resource allocation schedule-First message Node resource allocation information --- Intra-node allocation first stage ---- Allocated resource amount ---- Resource allocation waiting time --- Intra-node allocation second stage ---- Allocated resource amount ---- Resource allocation waiting time-Second message Node resource allocation information --- Intra-node allocation first stage --- Allocated resource amount ---- Resource allocation waiting time "Resource allocation schedule information" consists of "resource allocation message transmission schedule" and "node resource allocation schedule" The The resource allocation schedule information is stored in the resource allocation schedule information DB 129 as shown in FIG.

  The “resource allocation message transmission schedule” includes “resource amount” and “transmission waiting time” for each resource allocation message transmitted at each stage. The number of steps is variable. Further, when the transmission waiting signal is “0”, the “transmission waiting time” can be omitted.

  The “resource amount” is information on the resource amount allocated by the transmission message at each stage.

  The “transmission waiting time” includes timing information for transmitting the corresponding resource allocation message.

  “Node resource allocation schedule” is resource allocation schedule information when each node constituting a communication path to which resources are allocated performs resource allocation within the node, and “allocation resource amount” and “ Resource allocation wait time ".

  The “node resource allocation schedule” is management information generated for each resource allocation message, and information for allocating the allocated resource amount requested in the “resource amount” of a single resource allocation message in stages within the node. included.

  The “allocated resource amount” represents an allocated resource amount allocated at each intra-node allocation stage. “Resource allocation waiting time” includes timing information for performing the corresponding resource allocation.

  Here, the timing information included in “transmission waiting time” and “resource allocation waiting time” can be expressed by the following plurality of expression methods.

-Elapsed time from specific operations such as starting execution of schedule, sending messages;
-Number of times packets or alarms are received;
・ Time slot position;
・ Absolute time;
・ Queue position:
Also, the resource allocation waiting time can be “time until reception of various trigger signals”. In this case, the trigger signal type to be used is specified instead of the waiting time.

  Furthermore, the transmission waiting time and the resource allocation waiting time can be set to random values. In the present specification, hereinafter, the timing information is represented by an elapsed time from the start of schedule execution.

  Further, as a timing determination method, for example, the following method can be adopted.

  By managing the priority values p and q assigned to the group communication path and member communication path, and setting the member communication path setting waiting time according to the priority, the band setting of the entire group communication path is staged. . The communication path waiting time is composed of a waiting time t (p) set based on p and a waiting time u (q) set based on q. The difference in t (p) between different p is Δt, the difference in u (q) between different q is Δu, and the arrival time difference of communication path setting messages from each node due to distributed processing When the expected value is Δv, Δ. By setting t >> Δu (Δ.t is sufficiently larger than Δu and Δ.t >> Δu is established with a very high probability), priority control between group communication paths having different p is realized. , Δu >> Δv (Δ.u is sufficiently larger than Δv, and Δ.u >> Δv is established with a very high probability), so that the group communication channel in which the arrival of the communication channel setting message is delayed In this case, the remaining bandwidth is left and the bandwidth distribution of the group communication paths having the same p is realized.

  Message transmission and resource allocation according to the schedule are performed using the following two timers (not shown).

-Message transmission wait timer:
The time from when the resource allocation message transmission schedule is started until the message is transmitted at each stage is managed.

-Resource allocation wait timer:
The node that receives the resource allocation message manages the time from the start of executing the node resource allocation schedule until the resource allocation is performed at the node.

  In addition, the resource amount scheduled to be allocated in the resource allocation schedule information is a value different from the requested traffic amount in the resource allocation schedule determination function unit 127 by variably controlling the requested traffic amount of the client device according to the availability of resources. Can be set.

  FIG. 11 shows a channel management model (part 1) in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The present invention has a function for setting / managing a communication channel group obtained by grouping a plurality of member communication channels in addition to a normal communication channel setting / management function.

  The identifier and priority information for the communication channel group is assigned as group communication channel information, and the identifier and priority information for the member communication channel is assigned as member communication channel information, and is stored and managed in the communication channel information DB 130.

  The present invention can also be implemented in a multi-layer network configuration as shown in FIG. Here, a lower layer node device exists between the node devices, and a lower communication path is set between the lower layer node devices. The group communication channels in the upper layer can be configured to be accommodated in different lower communication channels even for member communication channels to which the same group belongs. In the example of FIG. 12, among the members of group communication path # 1, member communication paths # 1 and # 2 are accommodated in lower communication path # 1, and member communication paths # 3 and # 4 are accommodated in lower communication path # 2. Is done.

  In the example of FIG. 11, four member communication paths are grouped to form a group communication path. When such a communication path is determined, the management apparatus provides the Ingress with the communication path group information and the priority information of each member simultaneously with the communication path setting request. Also, these pieces of information may be given by a message or a setting for the node device of the operator, or a control message from another node device configuring the same communication path is received and set according to the information. Is also possible. In Ingress, the resource allocation schedule determination function unit 127 of the control device 120 determines the resource allocation schedule so that the member communication paths of the grouped communication paths are assigned in descending order of priority.

  Here, it is assumed that the priority information is given as follows.

・ Member communication path 1: 2
Member communication path 2: 1
・ Member communication channel 3: 4
Member communication channel 4: 3
When signaling the group communication path, the member communication path information corresponding to the transmission message at each stage and the group ID that is the ID of the handle group to which the member communication path belongs are included.

  In this case, a resource allocation schedule is set so that resources are allocated in the order of member communication path 2, member communication path 1, member communication path 4, and member communication path 3. For example, the following resource allocation schedule is created.

-Resource allocation schedule information-Resource allocation message transmission schedule (communication channel allocation message # 1)
-First message transmission information (communication path allocation / resource allocation message # 1)
-Resource amount: 1 wavelength-Transmission waiting time: 0 msec
--Priority: 3
-Corresponding member communication path: Member communication path 2
-Group ID: 1
-Second message transmission information (communication path allocation / resource allocation message # 2)
-Resource amount: 1 wavelength-Transmission waiting time: 1000 msec
--Priority: 6
-Corresponding member communication path: Member communication path 1
-Group ID: 1
-Third message transmission information (communication path allocation / resource allocation message # 2)
-Resource amount: 1 wavelength-Transmission waiting time: 2000 msec
--Priority: 6
-Corresponding member communication path: Member communication path 4
-Group ID: 1
-Fourth message transmission information (communication path allocation / resource allocation message # 2)

-Resource amount: 1 wavelength-Transmission waiting time: 3000 msec
--Priority: 6
-Corresponding member communication path: Member communication path 1
-Group ID: 1
Node resource allocation schedule-first message node resource allocation information-first stage in a node (stage # 1-1)
--- Allocation resource amount: 1 wavelength --- Resource allocation wait time: 0 msec
-2nd message node resource allocation information-In-node first stage (stage # 2-1)
--- Allocation resource amount: 1 wavelength --- Resource allocation wait time: 0 sec
-Third message node resource allocation information-First stage in the node (stage # 1-1)
--- Allocation resource amount: 1 wavelength --- Resource allocation wait time: 0 sec
-Fourth message node resource allocation information-First stage in the node (stage # 2-1)
--- Allocation resource amount: 1 wavelength --- Resource allocation wait time: 0 sec
The identifier of the communication channel group is determined based on operator settings or control message information from the client device. At this time, the identifier of the channel group can be determined based on identifiers such as a VLAN ID, a client ID, an IP address, a MAC address, an IFID, a VCAT group ID, a Call ID, and a VPNID.

  The priority information of the member communication path can be determined based on the amount of client traffic transferred by measuring the amount of client traffic transferred to the member communication path in the traffic volume detection function unit 115 of the node device 100.

  The priority information of the member communication path can be determined based on information such as service class information, VLAN ID information, client identifier, VPN ID, IP address, MAC address, etc. transmitted from the control message from the client device.

  13 to 14 show a communication path setting sequence according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The communication path setting process is started when a communication path allocation request arrives from the client apparatus or the management apparatus to the control message transmission / reception IF 121 of the control apparatus 120 of the Ingress node, or when a failure occurs in another communication path (step 101). ). The communication path setting request includes various information required for communication path allocation in addition to a communication path start node, end node, required resource amount, path selection policy, priority information, communication path ID, group ID, service class, etc. Is included.

  The control device 120 of the Ingress node receives the communication path allocation request through the control message transmission / reception IF 121. Subsequently, the path of the communication path for which the allocation request is made is calculated in the path calculation function unit 125 of the control device 120 based on the information of the end point node of the communication path included in the communication path allocation request (step 102). At this time, the route calculation function unit 125 performs route calculation based on the network information collected by the routing protocol implemented in the routing function unit 123 and stored in the resource information DB 128.

  Subsequently, the resource allocation schedule determination function unit 127 determines the resource allocation schedule of the communication path for which an allocation request has been made (step 103) and stores it in the resource allocation schedule information DB 129 (step 104). The resource allocation schedule is determined based on the policy allocated by the operator, the priority information of the communication path, the service class, the network failure status, and the available resource amount. Further, the resource allocation schedule can be calculated in other nodes such as a central management server and a management apparatus, and the information can be received and stored in a DB for use. In this example, it is assumed that the resource allocation schedule is determined as follows. The unit of resource is wavelength.

-Resource allocation schedule information-Resource allocation message transmission schedule (communication channel allocation message # 1)
-1st message transmission information (communication path allocation / resource allocation message # 1)
-Resource amount: 2 wavelengths-Transmission waiting time: 0 msec
--Priority: 3
Second message transmission information (communication path allocation / resource allocation message # 2)
-Resource amount: 2 wavelengths-Transmission waiting time: 200 msec
--Priority: 6
Node resource allocation schedule-first message node resource allocation information-first stage in a node (stage # 1-1)
--- Allocation resource amount: 2 wavelengths --- Resource allocation wait time: 10 msec
-2nd message node resource allocation information-In-node first stage (stage # 2-1)
--- Allocation resource amount: 1 wavelength --- Resource allocation wait time: 0 msec
-Second stage in the node (stage # 2-1)
--- Allocated resource amount: 1 wavelength --- Resource allocation waiting time: 100 msec
When the determined resource allocation schedule is executed (step 105), a message transmission waiting timer is started (step 106). In this example, the message is transmitted twice, the first message transmission waiting time is 0 msec, and the second message transmission waiting time is 10 msec. Since the waiting time of the first message is 0 msec, the timer immediately times out (step 107), and after the resource allocated in the first stage of the node resource allocation schedule is reserved (step 108), the control message transmission / reception IF 121 Communication channel assignment message # 1 is transmitted (step 109). The message is transmitted from the Ingress node to the Egress node via the Transit node. The channel allocation message # 1 includes resource allocation schedule information. When the channel allocation message # 1 is received by Transit and Egress, the resource allocation schedule information is stored in the resource allocation schedule information DB 129 (steps 110 and 112). . Of the node resource allocation schedule, the resource allocated at the first stage is set to the reserved state (steps 111 and 113). In this example, the two wavelengths scheduled to be allocated in step # 1-1 are in the reserved state. When the resource reservation process is completed in the resource allocation function 126, the Egress node executes resource allocation in the resource allocation function unit 126 according to the node resource allocation schedule corresponding to the received message (step 114), and transmits and receives control messages. A resource allocation message is transmitted to Transit via IF 121 (step 115). The resource allocation message can include resource allocation schedule information. After transmitting the resource allocation message, the Egress node starts a resource allocation waiting timer (step 116). Here, since the allocation waiting time is 10 msec, the timer times out after the elapse of 10 msec (step 117), the switching state of the switching hardware 110 is updated, and 2-wavelength resource allocation (step # 1- 1) is performed (step 118). Similarly, in Transit and Ingress, resource allocation is performed after the timer elapses (steps 119 and 120).

  When the message # 2 transmission waiting time elapses from the start of the resource allocation schedule (2000 msec in this example) and the message # 2 transmission waiting time-outs at the Ingress node (step 121), resource reservation for message # 2 (# 2 -1, # 2-2) are performed (steps 122 and 123). Here, one wavelength resource is allocated to both the first stage (# 1-1) and the second stage (# 2-1). Thereafter, the communication path setting message # 2 is transferred from Ingress to Egress via Transit (step 124). When Egress receives the communication path setting message (step 125), the resource allocation function unit 126 starts executing the node allocation schedule corresponding to message # 2 (step 126), and transfers the resource allocation message (step 127). In Transit and Ingress that received the resource allocation message, execution of the node allocation schedule is started (steps 128 and 129). In any of Ingress, Transit, and Egress, after the resource allocation (# 2-1) waiting timer (0 msec in this example) and the resource allocation (# 2-2) timer (100 msec in this example) time out (steps 130 and 131) , 132, 136, 137), the resource allocation function 126 performs resource allocation (# 2-1) and resource allocation (# 2-2), and one wavelength is assigned at each stage according to the node resource allocation schedule. Assigned (steps 133, 134, 135, 138, 139).

[Second Embodiment]
In this embodiment, contention control will be described. The configuration of the node device 100 is the same as that in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment.

  In the present invention, when a setting request is received from another communication channel during execution of the resource allocation schedule, both schedules are based on the resource allocation schedule information stored in the resource allocation schedule information DB 129 of the node device 100. When a conflict occurs, it is possible to change the schedule and send a conflict notification to the Ingress node of the communication path whose schedule has been changed.

  15 and 16 show a competition control sequence in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, Ingress-A corresponds to Ingress in the first embodiment. Here, the communication path setting process similar to that of the first embodiment is performed when the resource allocation by the transmission message in the first stage is completed (step 120), and a communication path setting request is sent to another Ingress node Ingress-B. A communication path setting request arrives at another Ingress node Ingress-B (step 201), and a communication path is set in Transit and Egress as in the first embodiment. The resource allocation schedule information transmitted from Ingress-B is the following information.

-Resource allocation schedule information-Resource allocation message transmission schedule-first message transmission information (communication channel setting / resource allocation message #A)
-Resource amount: 2 wavelengths-Transmission waiting time: 0 msec
--Priority: 3
Node resource allocation schedule-first message node resource allocation information-first stage in a node (stage # A-1)
--- Allocation resource amount: 2 wavelengths --- Resource allocation wait time: 10 msec
The channel setting message #A transmitted from Ingress-A is transferred to Transit and Egress (step 202). In Transit and Egress that have received the channel setting message #A, the resource allocation schedule included in the channel setting message #A is stored in the resource allocation schedule information DB 129 (steps 203 and 208). At this time, the resource allocation conflict control function unit 124 determines the competition relationship with the resource allocation schedule information of the communication path setting message # 1 that has already been stored (steps 204 and 209). The resource allocation conflict control function 124 performs the following processing based on the determination (steps 205 and 210).

  The resource allocation conflict control function unit 124 reads priority information of both resource allocation schedule information from the resource allocation schedule information DB 129 when there is no free wavelength and there is no resource to be newly allocated, and allocates resources to an allocation schedule with a lower priority Decide to cancel.

  -Or, calculate the amount of resources that are insufficient to realize both resource allocation requests.

  In addition, a conflict notification is transmitted to the Ingress node that has transmitted the resource allocation schedule for which resource allocation has been canceled. The contention occurrence notification can include information on the resource that has been insufficient. In the case of this example, priority (3) of channel setting / resource allocation message #A is higher than priority (6) information of channel setting / resource allocation message # 2 (assuming that a lower numerical value has higher priority). Therefore, the processing of the communication path setting / resource assignment message # 2 is stopped and notified to Ingress-A.

  Ingress-A that has received the notification of the occurrence of contention stops the timer (step 211) and stops the transmission schedule. Further, the resource allocation schedule determination function 127 recalculates the part resource allocation schedule information and updates the resource allocation schedule information in the resource allocation schedule information DB 129 (step 212).

  Further, in Transit and Egress, processing for the communication channel setting message #A having a high priority is continued, and resource allocation for the communication channel setting request #A is performed.

[Third Embodiment]
In this embodiment, the resource allocation schedule information update process in the second embodiment will be described. The configuration of the node device in the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of FIG.

  This processing is executed when a resource allocation schedule change request is received when contention or resource shortage occurs in another node device.

  FIG. 17 shows a schedule update sequence in the third embodiment of the present invention.

  When the Ingress node detects a resource allocation schedule change request (step 301), the resource allocation schedule determination function unit 127 of the Ingress node recalculates the source allocation schedule information, and resource allocation schedule information in the resource allocation schedule information DB 129 of the own node. Is changed (step 302).

  Next, the allocation schedule change message including the change schedule information is transferred from the control message transmission / reception IF 121 to Transit and Egress (steps 303 and 305).

  Upon receiving the allocation schedule change message, Transit and Egress change the resource allocation schedule information stored in the resource allocation schedule determination function unit 127 based on the information included in the received allocation schedule change message (step 304). , 306).

  Examples of trigger signals that can be resource allocation schedule change requests include the following.

・ Detection of failure in the working group communication path, backup group communication path, working member communication path, or backup member communication path, quality deterioration, or change / change in priority information:
・ Operator operation:
・ Changes in traffic volume of client signals transferred to group communication paths or member communication paths:
・ Changes in the number of members in the working group channel or backup group channel:
・ Changes in the resource sharing status or availability of shared backup channels set in shared mesh restoration etc .:
[Fourth Embodiment]
If the configured communication path supports failure recovery functions (1 + 1/1: 1 protection, shared mesh restoration, full rerouting, etc.), the resource allocation schedule is also applied to the backup communication path and the alternative communication path. Information can be set. For 1 + 1/1: 1 protection, processing is the same as that for the working channel. Since Shared restoration and Full rerouting are methods in which resource allocation is performed after a failure occurs, resource allocation schedule information is stored only in the Ingress node until the failure occurs.

  When the node device 100 has both the edge function of the client network and the edge function of the transport network, the actual traffic amount flowing through the working communication path is measured by the switching hardware, and the allocation schedule is set according to the actual traffic amount. Can be changed.

  FIG. 18 shows the configuration of such node switching hardware. The switching hardware 210 shown in the figure includes a control IF 211, a switching function unit 212, a client NW data transfer IF 213, a transport NW data transfer IF 214, a traffic amount detection function unit 215, and a failure detection function unit 216. The configuration of the control unit 120 is the same as that in FIG.

  The traffic amount detection function unit 215 is a function unit that measures the amount of traffic flowing through the data transfer IFs 213 and 214. The measured traffic volume is transmitted to the control device 120 through the control IF 211. In the case of such a device, the traffic volume detection function unit 215 detects the traffic volume of the higher-level network flowing through the active member communication path or the backup member communication path, and the member communication paths in the communication path group according to the traffic volume flowing. The priority can be determined. For example, sorting can be performed in descending order of traffic flowing through the member communication path, and a high priority can be given to the member communication path with the large traffic flowing.

  Further, the node device having the switching hardware 210 of FIG. 18 refers to the priority information of the member communication path stored in the communication path information database 130, and prioritizes the traffic of the client network to the member communication path having a higher priority. Can be sorted.

  19 and 20 show an example of a standby communication channel setting sequence for shared mesh restoration in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The communication channel assignment starts setting processing when a backup communication channel setting request is transmitted from the client device or the management device to the control device 120 of the Ingress node, and when a failure occurs in another communication channel.

  The backup channel setting request includes various information necessary for channel allocation, in addition to the channel start point node, end node, required resource amount, route selection policy, priority information, channel group ID, service class, etc. included. The control device 120 of the Ingress node receives the backup channel setting request through the control message transmission / reception IF 121 (step 401). Subsequently, the path calculation function unit 125 of the control device 120 calculates the path of the communication path for which the setting request has been made based on the information of the end point node of the communication path included in the communication path setting request (step 402). At this time, the route calculation function unit 125 performs route calculation based on the network information collected by the routing protocol implemented in the routing function unit 123 and stored in the resource information DB 128. Subsequently, the resource allocation schedule determination function unit 127 determines the resource allocation schedule of the communication path for which an allocation request has been made (step 403) and stores it in the resource allocation schedule information DB 129 (step 404). The resource allocation schedule information is determined based on the policy allocated by the operator, the priority information of the communication path, the service class, the network failure status, and the available resource amount. Further, the resource allocation schedule information can be calculated in other nodes such as a centralized management server and a management device, and the information can be received and stored in the resource allocation schedule information DB 129 for use.

  If the service class information is a service class such as Shared mesh restoration where the initial processing at the time of channel setting is only resource reservation and the channel setting for the switching hardware 210 is not performed, the execution of the resource allocation schedule is not started. Resource reservation is performed and a communication path setting message is transmitted. The communication path setting message is transferred to Transit and Egress (Steps 406 and 409), and Transit and Egress that have received the communication path setting message perform resource reservation (Steps 407 and 411). When resource reservation is completed by Egress, a resource allocation message is transferred to Ingress (steps 412 and 413).

  When a switching request is detected in a state where the communication channel resource is in a reserved state and the standby channel setting is completed, a resource allocation schedule for the standby channel is executed. After the resource allocation schedule is executed (step 414), the communication path setting message # 1-2 is transferred downstream from Ingress (steps 415 and 416). Receiving the communication path setting message, Egress starts executing the node resource allocation schedule # 1 (step 417) and forwards the resource allocation message # 1-2 upstream (steps 418 and 420). In the Transit and Ingress nodes that have received the transferred resource allocation message # 1-2, the node resource allocation schedule starts to be executed (steps 419 and 421), and resource allocation is performed according to the schedule information (steps 422 and 423).

  Examples of the trigger signal that is a switching request include the following.

・ Detection of failure of the working group communication path, backup group communication path, working member communication path, or backup member communication path, quality deterioration, or change / change of priority information:
・ Operator operation:
・ Changes in traffic volume of client signals transferred to group communication paths or member communication paths:
・ Changes in the number of members in the working group channel or backup group channel:
・ Changes in the resource sharing status or availability of shared backup channels set in shared mesh restoration etc .:
In the case of a service class such as Full rerouting where a backup channel is not set in advance, the resource allocation schedule information of the channel at the time of failure relief is determined by the Ingress node, triggered by a schedule information registration request (Step 424). (Step 425).

  Examples of events that are schedule information registration requests include the following.

・ Setting request for working group communication path or backup group communication path or working member communication path or backup member communication path:
・ Detection of failure in the working group communication path, backup group communication path, working member communication path, or backup member communication path, quality deterioration, or change / change of priority information:
・ Operator operation:
・ Changes in traffic volume of client signals transferred to group communication paths or member communication paths:
・ Changes in the number of members in the working group channel or backup group channel:
・ Changes in the resource sharing status or availability of shared backup channels set in shared mesh restoration etc .:
The schedule information is changed (step 427) upon detection of a schedule information change request (step 426).

  Examples of the trigger signal that is a schedule information change request include the following.

・ Setting request for working group communication path or protection group communication path or working member communication path or protection member communication path:
・ Detection of failure in the working group communication path, backup group communication path, working member communication path, or backup member communication path, quality deterioration, or change / change in priority information:
・ Operator operation:
・ Changes in traffic volume of client signals transferred to group communication paths or member communication paths:
・ Changes in the number of members of the working group channel or backup group channel;
・ Changes in the resource sharing status or availability of shared backup channels set in shared mesh restoration etc .:
In the schedule registration state, when a failure in the working channel is detected (step 428), or a switching request from the operator or a switching request such as a change in traffic volume is detected, an alternative channel for the working channel is set. Is called. An example of such a sequence is shown below.

  FIG. 21 is an alternative communication path setting / switching sequence according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  A trigger signal, such as the occurrence of a failure in another communication path, becomes a switching request, and the communication path setting process is started. In the communication path setting request, the control device 120 of the communication path start / end node, required resource amount, path selection policy, priority information, and communication path ID Ingress node sends a communication path allocation request via the control message transmission / reception IF 121. Receive (step 451). Subsequently, in addition to the communication channel end point, group ID, service class, and the like included in the communication channel allocation request, various information required for communication channel allocation is included. Based on the node information, the route calculation function unit 125 of the control device 120 calculates the route of the communication path for which an allocation request has been made (step 452). At this time, the route calculation function unit 125 performs route calculation based on the network information collected by the routing protocol implemented in the routing function unit 123 and stored in the resource information DB 128. Subsequently, the resource allocation schedule determination function unit 127 determines the resource allocation schedule of the communication path for which an allocation request has been made (step 453) and stores it in the resource allocation schedule information DB 129 (step 454). The resource allocation schedule is determined based on the policy allocated by the operator, the priority information of the communication path, the service class, the network failure status, and the available resource amount. Further, the resource allocation schedule can be calculated in another node such as a centralized management server or a management apparatus, and the information can be received and stored in the resource allocation schedule information DB 129 for use. In this example, it is assumed that the resource allocation schedule is determined as follows. The unit of resource is wavelength.

-Resource allocation schedule information-Resource allocation message transmission schedule (communication channel allocation message # 1)
-First message transmission information (communication path allocation / resource allocation message # 1)
-Resource amount: 2 wavelengths-Transmission waiting time: 0 msec
--Priority: 3
Node resource allocation schedule-first message node resource allocation information-first stage in a node (stage # 1-1)
--- Allocation resource amount: 2 wavelengths --- Resource allocation wait time: 10 msec
When the determined resource allocation schedule is executed (step 455), a message transmission waiting timer is started (step 456). In this example, the message is transmitted once, and the transmission waiting time of the first message is 0 msec. Since the first message has a waiting time of 0 msec, the timer immediately times out (step 457), and after the resource allocated in the first stage of the node resource allocation schedule is reserved (step 458), the channel allocation message # 1 is transmitted via the control message IF 121 (step 459).

  The message is transmitted from the Ingress node to the Egress node via the Transit node (steps 459 and 462). The channel allocation message # 1 includes resource allocation schedule information. In Transit and Egress, when the channel allocation message # 1 is received, the resource allocation schedule information is stored in the resource allocation schedule information DB 129 (step 460, 463), the resource allocated in the first stage of the node resource allocation schedule is set to the reserved state (steps 461, 464). In this example, the two wavelengths scheduled to be allocated in step # 1-1 are in the reserved state. When the resource summarization process ends, the Egress node performs resource allocation according to the node resource allocation schedule corresponding to the received message (step 465), and transmits the resource allocation message to the transit node (step 466). The resource allocation message can include resource allocation schedule information. After transmitting the resource allocation message, the Egress node starts a resource allocation waiting timer (step 467). Here, since the allocation waiting time is 10 msec, the timer times out after the elapse of 10 msec (step 468), the switching state of the switching hardware 110 is updated, and 2-wavelength resource allocation to the communication path (step # 1-1) ) Is performed (step 469). Similarly, resources are allocated to the transit and ingress nodes after the timer elapses.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which, once triggered by generation of a trigger signal such as failure switching, the resource allocation schedule information in the resource allocation schedule information DB 129 is updated. The configuration of the node device in this embodiment is the same as that in FIG.

  When a resource shortage occurs during resource allocation according to the received resource allocation schedule, the signaling function unit 122 detects the resource shortage and performs the scheduled resource allocation processing. It is possible to notify all other node devices by sending a post-natal message that resource shortage has occurred. is there. Processing when each node device performs such an operation is shown below.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart of stopping in the middle of a resource allocation operation according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the node device control message transmission / reception IF 121, the signaling function unit 122 detects the resource allocation request by starting execution of the resource allocation schedule or receiving the resource allocation request message (step 501). The signaling function unit 122 refers to the resource allocation schedule information in the resource allocation schedule information DB 129 and the communication path information in the communication path information DB 130 to check whether all resource allocations specified by the resource allocation schedule information have been completed. Yes (step 502) When all resource allocations are completed (step 502, Yes), notification of allocation completion is notified to other nodes via the control message transmission / reception IF 121 (step 503), and the path setting is completed. . This assignment completion notification can be included in a path setting message, a resource assignment message, and the like. When the signaling function unit 122 determines that all the resource assignments specified by the resource assignment schedule information have not been completed (No in Step 502), the resource information DB 128 is referred to and the free resource status of the own node is determined. Is confirmed (step 504). If there is a free resource as a result of checking the free resource (step 505, Yes), the resource amount specified in the corresponding stage is allocated to the switching hardware 110, and all the above-described allocation stages are completed. The process is repeated (step 506), and the process is repeated (step 506). As a result of checking the free resources in the signaling function unit 122, if there are insufficient free resources (No in Step 505), the resource amount that has been successfully allocated or the resource amount that could not be allocated is notified to other nodes. Then, the communication path setting process is completed (step 507). This notification can be included in a communication path setting message, a resource allocation message, or the like. In this case, the resource amount set for the path is a resource amount smaller than the requested set bandwidth.

[Sixth Embodiment]
The node device 100 of the present invention has a function of switching when a path set in the signaling function unit 122 becomes unusable, or performing a plurality of communication path resetting, and switching managed by the silly ring function unit 122 The resource allocation schedule determination function unit 127 determines a different resource allocation schedule according to the number of times or the number of times of channel resetting, or the number of times of switching, the number of times of channel resetting, or the number of times of trigger signal reception Different resource allocation schedules can be stored in the resource allocation schedule information DB 129 according to the number, or different resource allocation schedules can be transmitted according to the number of communication channel resets.

  FIG. 23 shows a communication network composed of node devices that perform such operations.

  In FIG. 23, a communication path A is an active communication path for transferring client traffic during normal times. The communication path B is a backup communication path used when the working communication path fails. The communication channel C is a third communication channel that is set when the working communication channel and the standby communication channel fail. These communication paths are set by the communication path setting method described in the first to fifth embodiments. Further, the route calculation function unit 125 can perform route calculation of the standby communication channel and the third communication channel when setting the active communication channel, setting the standby communication channel, or setting the third communication channel.

  Also, resource allocation to the standby communication path and the third communication path can be performed when the working communication path is set, when the backup communication path is set, or when the third communication path is set.

  Each communication path is associated and managed in the signaling function unit 122, and a group identifier for identifying the association is given. The following information is managed in the communication path information DB 130 at the Ingress node (starting node) of each communication path.

○ Group communication path ID
Member communication channel ID (communication channel A)
-Order of use: (Working channel)
-Route decision timing: (advance decision)
-Resource allocation schedule information: (resource allocation schedule information 1)
Member communication channel ID (communication channel B)
-Order of use: (backup channel)
-Route decision timing: (advance decision)
-Resource allocation schedule information: (resource allocation schedule information 2)
Member communication channel ID (communication channel C)
-Order of use: (third channel)
-Route decision timing: (Determined at the time of setting)
-Resource allocation schedule information: (resource allocation schedule information 3)
The above “group communication path ID” is an identifier representing an association relation of each communication path.

  “Usage order” is a determination criterion for determining a path for transferring client traffic. The path with the highest usage order is determined from non-failed paths. In the case of this example, in order from the highest, the order is the working communication path, the standby communication path, and the third communication path.

  “Resource allocation schedule information” is the resource allocation schedule information of the first to fifth embodiments described above.

  Here, it is assumed that the resource request amount for the communication path A is four wavelengths, and is composed of four member communication paths.

  Here, it is assumed that the resource allocation schedule information of each communication channel is given as follows.

○ Resource allocation schedule information 1
-Resource allocation message transmission schedule-First message transmission information-Resource amount: 4 wavelengths-Transmission waiting time: 0 msec
--Priority: 1
-Corresponding member communication path: Member communication paths 1 to 4
-Group ID: 1
Node resource allocation schedule-first message node resource allocation information-first stage in a node (stage # 1-1)
--- Allocation resource amount: 4 wavelengths --- Resource allocation wait time: 0 msec
-Resource allocation message transmission schedule-Resource allocation message transmission schedule-1st message transmission information-Resource amount: 4 wavelengths-Transmission waiting time: 0 msec
--Priority: 1
-Corresponding member communication path: Member communication paths 1 to 4
-Group ID: 1
Node resource allocation schedule-first message node resource allocation information-first stage in a node (stage # 1-1)
--- Allocation resource amount: 4 wavelengths --- Resource allocation wait time: 0 msec
○ Resource allocation schedule information 3
Resource allocation message transmission schedule-1st message transmission information-Resource amount: 1 wavelength-Transmission waiting time: 10 msec
--Priority: 1
-Corresponding member communication path: Member communication path 1
-Group ID: 1
-2nd message transmission information-Resource amount: 1 wavelength-Transmission waiting time: 20 msec
--Priority: 1
-Corresponding member communication path: Member communication path 2
-Group ID: 1
Node resource allocation schedule-first message node resource allocation information-first stage in a node (stage # 1-1)
--- Allocation resource amount: 1 wavelength --- Resource allocation wait time: 0 msec
-2nd message node resource allocation information-In-node first stage (stage # 1-1)
-Resource allocation wait time: 0msec
An example of operation when a double failure occurs in the order of the working communication path and the backup communication path under the above conditions will be described.

  When the communication channel A fails, the signaling function unit 122 of the node device # 1 selects the communication channel B having the highest selection order from the non-failed communication channels belonging to the same group communication channel. Is transmitted to the node device or client device via the control message transmission / reception IF 121, and the cross connection setting change message is transmitted to the switching hardware 110 via the control IF 131, The transfer destination of the client signal is switched to the communication path B. In the case of this first failure, the resource amount allocated to the communication path B that is the backup communication path is the same as the resource amount of the communication path A that is the working communication path. Here, when a failure occurs in the communication channel B before the failure state of the communication channel A recovers, a third communication is performed by the signaling function unit 122 of the node device # 1 that is an Ingress node. Road setting is started. Since the third communication path is designated to perform route calculation at the time of setting the third communication path, control message transmission / reception is performed after route calculation of the third communication path is performed in the route calculation function unit 125 of the node device # 1. By transferring the control message from the IF 121, a communication path is set according to “resource allocation schedule 3”. The resource allocation amount requested in the “resource allocation schedule 3” is two wavelengths, and the communication path is set with a resource amount smaller than the resource amount of the communication path A.

  The control message exchange operation between node devices at the time of path setting is the same as the operation in the first to fifth embodiments described above.

  Further, the failure in the present embodiment may be the other trigger signal described above.

[Seventh Embodiment]
The present invention can also be applied to a communication network configured by node devices having a function of transferring client traffic by defining a communication path in which TDM paths and wavelength paths are grouped as shown in FIG.

  A VCAT # 1 path and a VCAT # 2 path, which are communication paths in which TDM paths are grouped, are set between the node apparatus # 1 and the node apparatus # 2 having a function of setting a communication path in which client traffic is grouped. Yes. Both the VCAT path # 1 and the VCAT path # 2 employ a VC4 path defined by the SONET / SDH standard as a group member path setting unit, and set a path in which four VC4 paths are bundled. These groups will be referred to as VCG # 1 and VCG # 2. A shared free resource pool that can be used by both VCG # 1 and VCG # 2 is set between the node device # 1 and the node device # 2. In this case, the resource is a VC4 path. Further, it is assumed that VCG # 1 is a node device # 1 and VCG # 2 is an Ingress node. Here, a multi-layer network configuration in which a lower layer exists under the TDM layer is assembled. Lower communication paths # 1, # 2, and # 3 are set between lower layer node devices. Of VCG # 1, VC4 # 1 and VC4 # 2 are accommodated in lower communication path # 1, and VC4 # 3 and VC4 # 4 are accommodated in lower communication path # 2. Further, all the VC4 paths constituting the free resource pool are accommodated in the lower communication path # 3, and all VC4 paths constituting the VCG # 2 are accommodated in the lower communication path # 4.

  Here, in the VCAT path # 1 and VCAT path # 2, when a trigger signal such as a failure alarm is received by the node device, a path in units of VC4 is set by the signaling function unit 122 at the respective time intervals T and T ′. It is assumed that the resource allocation schedule is set so that Here, it is assumed that the relationship 2T ′> T> T ′ holds.

  In this state, when a simultaneous failure occurs in the lower communication channel # 2 and the lower communication channel # 4 and the VC path accommodated in each lower communication channel becomes unusable, the resources stored in the respective Ingress nodes In accordance with the allocation schedule, a resource allocation message is transmitted from the node device stepwise through the control channel.

  First, a resource allocation message requesting addition of a member path of VCG # 1 is transmitted from the node device # 1 corresponding to the Ingress node of the VCAT path # 1 after the time T has elapsed, and one VC4 path in the resource pool is sent to the VCG # 1. Added. Subsequently, after the elapse of time T ′, a resource allocation message requesting addition of a member path of VCG # 2 is transmitted from the Ingress node of VCAT path # 2, and one VC4 path in the resource group is added to VCG # 2. The Here, the state of the communication network is as shown in FIG.

  Further, after the time 2T elapses from the failure, a resource allocation message requesting addition of a member path of VCG # 1 is transmitted from the node device # 1 corresponding to the Ingress node of VCAT path # 1, and one VC4 path in the resource pool, VCG # Added to 1. In addition, after the time 2T ′ elapses, a resource allocation message requesting addition of a member path of VCG # 2 is transmitted from the Ingress node of VCAT path # 2, and one VC4 path in the resource pool is added to VCG # 2. . Here, the state of the communication network is as shown in FIG.

  The resource allocation function unit 126 of the node device # 1 and the node device # 2 detects that there are no resources in the free resource pool, the resource allocation function unit 126 stops the resource allocation schedule, and performs step-by-step resource allocation processing To complete.

  As in this example, by dividing resource allocation into one or more stages and allocating resources, shared resources can be distributed among a plurality of communication paths.

  In this example, even if the communication path member path is a wavelength path, the same function can be realized by the same method.

  In this example, a wavelength path, a fiber path, a VLAN path, a TDM path, or a group communication path thereof can be assumed as a lower-level communication path of the VCAT path, and the above example can be operated in any case. .

  It is possible to construct the operation of the node device of the above-described embodiment as a program, install it on a computer used as the node device, execute it, or distribute it via a network.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  The present invention can be applied to a network including IP routers, TDM cross-connect devices, optical cross-connect devices, ROADM devices, and the like.

It is a principle block diagram of this invention. It is a principle explanatory view of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the network in which the working communication path of this invention was set. It is a figure which shows the state which the switching operation | movement from the working communication path to the backup communication path generate | occur | produced by the failure detection of this invention. It is an example of the exchange of the control message at the time of setting a communication path in an autonomous distributed manner between the node devices of the present invention. It is an example of the 1 way signal Linz system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the 2 way signaling system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the sequence of the communication path setting by the centralized control in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the node apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of resource allocation schedule information DB in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a communication-path management model (the 1) in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a communication-path management model (the 2) in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a communication channel setting sequence (the 1) in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a communication-path setting sequence (the 2) in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the sequence (the 1) of contention control in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the competition control sequence (the 2) in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schedule update sequence in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the switching hardware in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is an example (the 1) of the backup communication channel sequence of shared mesh restoration in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is an example (the 2) of the backup communication channel sequence of shared mesh restoration in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is an alternative communication path setting and switching sequence in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the resource allocation operation halfway stop in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. It is a communication network provided with the multiple failure recovery function in the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is the communication network (the 1) in which the grouped path | route was set in the 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is the communication network (the 2) in which the grouped path | route was set in the 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is the communication network (the 3) in which the grouped path | pass was set in the 7th Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a configuration example of a network targeted by the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Client network 2 Transport network 11 Client apparatus 21 Node apparatus 100 Node apparatus 110 Switching hardware 111 IF for control
112 Switching function unit 113 Data transfer IF
114 Data transfer IF
115 Traffic volume detection function unit 116 Failure detection function unit 120 Control device 121 Control message transmission / reception IF
122 Signaling Function Unit 123 Routing Function Unit 124 Resource Allocation Competition Control Function Unit 125 Path Calculation Function Unit 126 Resource Allocation Function Unit 127 Resource Allocation Schedule Determination Function Unit 128 Resource Information DB
129 Resource allocation schedule information DB
130 Communication channel information DB
210 Switching hardware 211 IF for control
212 Switching Function Unit 213 Client Network Data Transfer IF
214 IF for transport network data transfer
215 Traffic volume detection function unit 216 Failure detection function unit

Claims (16)

When receiving a trigger signal from a client device or a management device, a node device having a function of exchanging control messages and generating / deleting a communication path, or switching to a standby communication path when receiving a trigger signal, Or a node device for setting an alternative communication path,
Control message receiving means for receiving a communication path setting request or the trigger signal from another node;
Resource allocation means for dividing resource allocation for a communication path into one or more stepped processes based on the communication path setting request, or for variably controlling the allocated resource amount;
Resource allocation schedule determining means for determining resource allocation schedule information including information regarding the execution timing or allocated resource amount of each stage, and storing the information in a resource allocation schedule information storage means;
Control message transmission means for transmitting a control message for resource allocation stepwise in one or more steps according to the resource allocation schedule information acquired from the resource allocation schedule information storage means;
A node device comprising: The resource allocation schedule information is
The node device according to claim 1, comprising: transmission schedule information of a communication channel resource allocation message, information on resource allocation timing and allocated resource amount in a configuration node device that is a component of a communication channel, or schedule priority information. A node device having a function of generating / deleting a communication path triggered by reception of a trigger signal from a client device or a management device,
Means for receiving a resource allocation message including a resource allocation schedule at the time of channel allocation from another node;
Means for storing the resource allocation information of the received resource allocation message in resource information storage means, and transmitting the resource allocation message according to the resource allocation schedule information of the resource allocation schedule information storage means;
Means for allocating resources to the communication path based on the resource allocation information;
A node device. In response to a trigger signal received from a client device or a management device, the node device has a function of generating / deleting a communication path,
Means for collecting resource allocation schedule information for communication path allocation requests from other nodes by receiving a control message and comparing the amount of allocated resources or resource allocation schedule information among a plurality of resource allocation schedule information;
When the resource allocation schedule information conflicts, a control message is transmitted to the resource allocation schedule information transmission source to notify the occurrence of contention, or a shortage resource is calculated, and the resource allocation schedule information transmission source Means for sending a control message and notifying insufficient resource information;
A node device comprising: Means for receiving the contention occurrence notification or the insufficient resource information;
Means for changing the communication path setting route or the bandwidth allocation schedule information triggered by reception of the contention occurrence notification or the insufficient resource information;
Means to retry the path setting according to the node setting information;
The node device according to claim 4, comprising: Means for defining a group of communication channels, defining priority information for the group communication channel, defining priority information for member communication channels as constituent elements of the group communication channel, and transmitting to other nodes;
Or
Means for defining a waiting time for channel setting based on priority information of the group channel or the member channel, and determining the resource allocation schedule information so as to allocate resources preferentially to a channel having a higher priority. The node device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Means for transmitting an allocation schedule update message for updating schedule information received from another node device to another node device;
Means for changing the allocation schedule even held in the resource allocation schedule information storage means of the own node device according to the content of the received allocation schedule update message;
The node device according to claim 1, further comprising: Failure detection of group communication path or member communication path, notification of fluctuation of traffic amount of client signal transferred to operator device or group communication path or member communication path, or change notification of number of members of group communication path, Alternatively, a node device comprising means for executing the resource allocation schedule triggered by reception of a trigger signal such as notification of a change in the resource sharing status or availability of a shared standby communication path. Means for setting once triggered by event occurrence or trigger signal reception including failure switching, and updating resource allocation schedule information in the resource allocation schedule information storage means;
Or
Failure detection of group communication path or member communication path, operator operation, notification of fluctuation of traffic volume of client signal transferred to group communication path or member communication path, or notification of fluctuation of number of members of group communication path, or When a communication path to which resource allocation has been performed, or a spare communication path that has not been performed, or a failure has occurred, triggered by the reception of a trigger signal that includes a notification of changes in the resource sharing status or availability of the shared standby communication path Means for changing the allocated resource amount for alternative communication set in
Or
Means for determining or changing the resource allocation schedule information in one or more stages and storing it in the resource allocation schedule information storage means;
Means for transmitting the resource allocation schedule information to another node;
A node device. 7. The node device according to claim 6, further comprising means for determining the priority of the member communication path based on the traffic amount of the upper network transferred to each member communication path. Means for canceling resource allocation processing and setting communication paths only for configurable resources when resource shortage occurs during resource allocation according to the resource allocation schedule of the received resource allocation message;
4. The node device according to claim 3, further comprising any means for notifying other node devices of a resource shortage or the occurrence of a resource amount that can be set. A means for switching when the set path becomes unusable or resetting the communication path multiple times,
Means for determining different resource allocation schedules according to the number of switching times or the number of times of channel resetting;
Means for storing different resource allocation schedules in the storage means depending on the number of times of switching, the number of times of communication resetting or the number of times of trigger signal reception;
Means for transmitting different resource allocation schedules according to the number of channel reset times;
The node device according to claim 1, comprising: In the case where the node device has a function of recovering from continuous or simultaneous multiple failures of communication paths,
13. The node device according to claim 12, further comprising means for setting a communication path having a smaller resource amount than the original requested resource amount when relieving multiple failures.   A communication network comprising a client device, a management device, and a plurality of node devices according to claim 1. When receiving a trigger signal from a client device or a management device, a node device having a function of exchanging control messages and generating / deleting a communication path, or switching to a standby communication path when receiving a trigger signal, Alternatively, there is a communication path setting method in a node device that sets an alternative communication path,
Upon receiving a communication path setting request or trigger signal, resource allocation for the communication path is divided into one or more staged processes, or the allocated resource amount is variably controlled.
Determine resource allocation schedule information including information on the execution timing of each stage or the amount of allocated resources, save it in the resource allocation schedule information storage means,
A control message for resource allocation is transmitted step by step to one or more other nodes according to the resource allocation schedule information acquired from the resource allocation schedule information storage means.
A communication path setting method characterized by comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute the function of the node device according to claim 1.

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