JP2012119960A - Network system and power consumption control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network system that requires simple maintenance task with which a network system administrator does not need to find the cause of an input signal disconnection alarm.SOLUTION: A network system includes a customer station equipment for accommodating a user terminal and a station device connected to the customer station equipment via an access network. The customer station equipment includes: a physical link cut-off determination part for determining whether a physical link to the user terminal is cut or not; and a low power consumption mode processing part for turning itself into a low power consumption mode by transmitting a low power consumption mode control signal for turning the other customer station equipment into the mode, when the physical link cut-off determination part determines that the physical link to the user terminal is cut.

Description

  The present invention relates to a network system including a home device that can control power consumption, and more particularly, to a network including a home device connected one-on-one.

  Conventionally, an access network for FTTH (Fiber To The Home), which is a broadband service, has been constructed based on ATM technology. However, in recent years, an access network for FTTH is also an Ethernet (registered trademark, the same applies hereinafter). Technology is beginning to be used. By using the Ethernet technology widely used for LAN (Local Area Network) in the access network, a higher speed service can be provided at a lower cost.

  In a network system, in order to provide a stable service, operation and maintenance between an in-home device connected to a user terminal and an opposite-side in-home device connected via a relay network (end / end section), And OAM (Operation Administration and Management). The operation, maintenance, and management of the section are realized by the station device remotely maintaining and monitoring the home device.

  On the other hand, power consumption of devices on the network tends to increase as the communication speed increases. In-home devices are installed in subscriber homes, but in recent years, there is an increasing need to reduce the power consumption of electronic devices in subscriber homes, and it is desired to reduce the power consumption of home devices.

  Connection between in-house devices and OLT (Optical Line Termination) or TE (Terminal Equipment) connected to in-home devices as technology for reducing power consumption of in-home devices in optical access networks using PON (Passive Optical Network) technology It is known to control the power consumption of a home device in units of functional blocks based on the state and the logical link state between the home device and the OLT (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-113193 A

  In the technique described in Patent Literature 1, when the connection state between the in-home device and the OLT or TE is disconnected, and when the logical link state between the in-home device and the OLT is not established, the in-home device Although the low power consumption mode is controlled, one in-home device does not control the other home device in the low power consumption mode.

  Here, in a network system in which end-to-end sections (sections from the home device to the opposite-side home device) are connected one-to-one, if one of the home devices cannot normally perform data communication in the end-end section. The opposite-side home device is also in a state where data communication is not possible.

  For this reason, even if one of the in-home devices is in a state where data communication is not possible, if the opposite-side home device is operating in the normal mode, the opposite-side home device consumes useless power. .

  Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a network system that controls both in-home devices to a low power consumption mode in which the power consumption is lower than that in the normal mode if one of the in-home devices cannot communicate data. And

  Next, the second object of the present invention will be described.

  The in-home device transmits a monitoring frame to the station device at a predetermined cycle, and when the station device does not receive the monitoring frame for a predetermined time, it detects a reception signal disconnection alarm. This reception signal disconnection alarm is detected, for example, when a transmission path failure occurs, such as when an optical fiber constituting a transmission path between a home device and a station device is disconnected. For this reason, when a reception signal disconnection alarm is detected, there is a high possibility that the cause of the reception signal disconnection alarm is a transmission line failure between devices, so a recovery measure is required immediately because it is a serious failure. .

  Since the frame transmission unit is invalidated when the in-home device transitions to the low power consumption mode, no frame is transmitted from the frame transmission unit. For this reason, the home device cannot transmit the monitoring frame at a predetermined cycle. Therefore, since the station device does not receive the monitoring frame, it detects a reception signal disconnection alarm even though no transmission path failure has occurred.

  When a reception signal disconnection alarm is detected, the network system administrator determines whether the reception signal disconnection alarm is due to a transmission path failure or whether the home device is controlled to a low power consumption mode. Therefore, the maintenance of the network system becomes complicated.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a network system in which the administrator of the network system does not have to determine the cause of the reception signal disconnection alarm and the maintenance work is simple.

  A representative example of the present invention is a network system including a home device that accommodates a user terminal and a station device connected to the home device via an access network. The home device includes a first home device and A second in-house device, wherein the station device includes a first station device and a second station device, the first in-home device and the first station device are connected via a first access network, and the second in-house device And the second station device is connected via a second access network, the first station device and the second station device are connected via a relay network, and the first in-home device and the second in-home device are connected to each other. Physical link disconnection determination that is connected one-to-one via the first access network, the relay network, and the second access network, and that the in-home device determines whether a physical link with the user terminal is disconnected And the physical link When it is determined that the physical link with the user terminal has been disconnected by the disconnection unit, the self-transition is switched to the low power consumption mode in which the power consumption is lower than that in the normal mode, and the one-to-one connection via the relay network A low power consumption mode processing unit that transmits a low power consumption mode control signal for transitioning to the low power consumption mode to the home device that performs the low power consumption mode processing unit from the other home device Even when the low power consumption mode control signal is received, the low power consumption mode control signal shifts itself to the low power consumption mode.

  According to the present invention, it is not necessary for the administrator of the network system to determine the cause of the reception signal disconnection alarm, and it is possible to provide a network system that can be easily maintained.

It is explanatory drawing of the network system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the subscriber | terminal apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the station apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram in case the subscriber | terminal apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention changes to a low power consumption mode. It is a sequence diagram in case the subscriber | terminal apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention changes from low power consumption mode to normal mode. It is explanatory drawing of a format structure of CC frame communicated with the network system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, a low power consumption mode notification frame, and a low power consumption control frame. It is explanatory drawing until the low power consumption mode control frame and low power consumption mode notification frame of the 1st Embodiment of this invention arrive at a destination apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the network system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the VLAN table which the subscriber | terminal apparatus and station apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention hold | maintain. It is explanatory drawing of the flame | frame transmitted / received by the network system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the subscriber | terminal apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the low power consumption mode control process performed by the low power consumption mode determination process part of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the low power consumption mode cancellation | release process performed by the low power consumption mode determination process part of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the VLAN table which the household device 100 of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention hold | maintains.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a network system according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  This network system includes user terminals 104A and 104B (hereinafter collectively referred to as user terminals 104), home devices 100A and 100B (hereinafter collectively referred to as home devices 100), and station devices 101A and 101B (hereinafter collectively referred to as generic devices). Station apparatus 101).

  In-home device 100 accommodates user terminal 104. In-home device 100A and station device 101A are connected via access network 102A, and in-home device 100B and station device 101B are connected via access network 102B. The access networks 102A and 102B are collectively referred to as the access network 102. The station apparatuses 101A and 101B are connected via the relay network 103.

  The in-home device 100A is connected to the in-home device 100B via the relay network 103 on a one-to-one basis. In other words, the in-home device 100 </ b> A and the in-home device 100 </ b> B are installed facing each other via the relay network 103.

  The in-home device 100 and the station device 101 are ITU-T Recommendation Y. The Ethernet OAM function specified in 1731 is provided. The station apparatus 101 monitors whether the in-home apparatus 100 is in a controllable state using the Ethernet OAM frame.

  A node that terminates the Ethernet OAM frame is defined as MEP (MEG End Point), and a node that relays the Ethernet OAM frame is defined as MIP (MEG Intermediate Point). Although details will be described with reference to FIG. 7, a MEG (Maintenance Entity Group) level is set for each MEP, and a MEP section having the same MEG level is a monitoring section. By setting the MEG level, the monitoring section can be arbitrarily set such as the access network 102, the relay network 103, and the end / end section.

  For quality confirmation between end points (home devices 100) when the user terminal 104 of the network system is not included, ITU-T Recommendation Y. ETH-CC (Ethernet Continuity Check) (Ethernet is a registered trademark) function defined in 1731 is used. Specifically, communication is performed by periodically and continuously transmitting and receiving CC frames between the segment interval between the in-home device 100 and the station device 101 and between the end and end of the in-home device 100 facing the in-home device 100. The normality of the route is monitored.

  The in-home device 100 and the station device 101 confirm the normality of the communication path by transmitting CC frames to other devices at predetermined time intervals and receiving CC frames from other devices.

  The in-home device 100 and the station device 101 detect a LOC (Loss Of Continuity) alarm as a communication alarm when CC frames are not continuously received from other devices for a predetermined time. ITU-T recommendation Y.1731 stipulates that the LOC alarm is detected when the in-home device 100 and the station device 101 do not receive the CC frame continuously for 3.5 periods.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the home device 100 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  The in-home device 100 includes an access network interface unit 200, an upstream frame processing unit 204, a low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205, a downstream frame processing unit 206, a user terminal interface unit 208, and a display unit 211.

  The access network interface unit 200 is an interface for transmitting and receiving frames between the in-home device 100 and the access network 102, and monitors the physical link state between the in-home device 100 and the access network 102.

  The access network interface unit 200 includes a transmission unit 201 that transmits a frame to the access network 102 and a reception unit 202 that receives a frame from the access network 102.

  The frame transmitted and received by the access network interface unit 200 is a user frame or an Ethernet OAM frame transmitted from the user terminal 104.

  The user terminal interface unit 208 is an interface for transmitting and receiving frames to and from the user terminal 104, and monitors the physical link state between the in-home device 100 and the user terminal 104.

  The user terminal interface unit 208 includes a transmission unit 210 that transmits a frame to the user terminal 104 and a reception unit 209 that receives a frame from the user terminal 104.

  The upstream frame processing unit 204 determines whether or not to output the frame input from the user terminal interface unit 208 to the access network interface unit 200.

  Specifically, the uplink frame processing unit 204 determines whether the frame input from the user terminal interface unit 208 is a user frame or an Ethernet OAM frame.

  When the frame input from the user terminal interface unit 208 is a user frame, the user frame is destined for the opposite in-home device 100, so the uplink frame processing unit 204 transmits the user frame to the transmission unit of the access network interface unit 200. To 201.

  On the other hand, when the frame input from the user terminal interface unit 208 is an Ethernet OAM frame, the upstream frame processing unit 204 terminates the Ethernet OAM frame based on the MEG level included in the Ethernet OAM frame, or accesses the access network. Ether OAM processing for determining whether to output to the interface unit 200 is executed.

  The Ether OAM process will be described in detail.

  When the MEG level included in the Ethernet OAM frame is higher than the MEG level set in the in-home device 100, the upstream frame processing unit 204 outputs the Ethernet OAM frame to the transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200.

  On the other hand, when the MEG level included in the Ethernet OAM frame matches the MEG level set in the in-home device 100, the upstream frame processing unit 204 terminates the Ethernet OAM frame. When the MEG level included in the Ethernet OAM frame is lower than the MEG level set in the in-home device 100, the upstream frame processing unit 204 discards the Ethernet OAM frame.

  The downlink frame processing unit 206 determines whether to output the frame input from the access network interface unit 200 to the user terminal interface unit 208 or to the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205.

  When the frame input from the access network interface unit 200 is a user frame, the user frame is destined for the opposite user terminal 104, so the downlink frame processing unit 206 transmits the user frame to the transmission unit of the user terminal interface unit 208. Output to 210.

  On the other hand, when the frame input from the access network interface unit 200 is an Ethernet OAM frame, the downstream frame processing unit 206 analyzes the Ethernet OAM frame, and the Ethernet OAM frame notifies the low power consumption mode described with reference to FIG. It is determined whether it is a frame or a low power consumption mode control frame.

  When the Ether OAM frame is a low power consumption mode notification frame or a low power consumption mode control frame, the downlink frame processing unit 206 outputs the Ether OAM frame to the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205.

  If the Ether OAM frame is not a low power consumption mode notification frame or a low power consumption mode control frame, whether the Ether OAM frame is terminated or output to the user terminal interface unit 208 based on the MEG level included in the Ether OAM frame Ether OAM processing is executed.

  Specifically, when the MEG level included in the Ethernet OAM frame is higher than the MEG level set in the in-home device 100, the downlink frame processing unit 206 sends the Ethernet OAM frame to the transmission unit 210 of the user terminal interface unit 208. Output.

  On the other hand, when the MEG level included in the Ethernet OAM frame matches the MEG level set in the in-home device 100, the downlink frame processing unit 206 terminates the Ethernet OAM frame. When the MEG level included in the Ethernet OAM frame is lower than the MEG level set in the in-home device 100, the downlink frame processing unit 206 discards the Ethernet OAM frame.

  Based on the monitoring result of the physical link state with the user terminal 104 by the user terminal interface unit 208 and the low power consumption mode control frame input from the downlink frame processing unit 206, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 The power consumption mode of the apparatus 100 is controlled.

  The power consumption mode of the home device 100 includes a normal mode and a low power consumption mode, and the power consumption of the home device 100 in the low power consumption mode is lower than the power consumption of the home device 100 in the normal mode. .

  The low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 is a low power consumption mode control that makes the transition to the low power consumption mode when the monitoring result of the physical link state with the user terminal 104 by the user terminal interface unit 208 indicates disconnection of the physical link. When the frame is received, the uplink frame processing unit 204, the transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200, and the transmission unit 210 of the user terminal interface unit 208 are stopped (invalidated).

  Specifically, the in-home device 100 is connected to the uplink frame processing unit 204 that is stopped in the low power consumption mode, the transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200, and the transmission unit 210 of the user terminal interface unit 208 (not shown). An enable circuit is provided. The enable circuit stops these by outputting a disable signal to the uplink frame processing unit 204, the transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200, and the transmission unit 210 of the user terminal interface unit 208 in the low power consumption mode.

  Note that power is not supplied to the upstream frame processing unit 204, the transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200, and the transmission unit 210 of the user terminal interface unit 208 in the low power consumption mode regardless of the enable circuit. Good.

  The low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 displays a low power consumption mode control frame for transition to the normal mode when the monitoring result of the physical link state with the user terminal 104 by the user terminal interface unit 208 indicates recovery of the physical link. When received, the uplink frame processing unit 204, the transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200, and the transmission unit 210 of the user terminal interface unit 208 that have been stopped are restarted and are shifted to the normal mode.

  The reason why the receiving unit 202 of the access network interface unit 200, the downlink frame processing unit 206, and the receiving unit 209 of the user terminal interface unit 208 are not stopped even in the low power consumption mode will be described.

  The reason for not stopping the receiving unit 209 of the user terminal interface unit 208 is to monitor the physical link state with the user terminal 104 even during the low power consumption mode. The reason why the receiving unit 202 and the downlink frame processing unit 206 of the access network interface unit 200 are not stopped is to enable reception of the low power consumption mode control frame for shifting to the normal mode even during the low power consumption mode. . That is, in the present embodiment, even in the low power consumption mode, the functional blocks necessary for determining the condition for transition from the low power consumption mode to the normal mode do not stop the function.

  When the in-home device 100 transitions to the low power consumption mode, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 informs the station device 101 that the in-home device 100 transitions to the low power consumption mode before the transition to the low power consumption mode. A low power consumption mode notification frame to be notified and a low power consumption mode control frame for causing the opposite in-home device 100 to transition to the low power consumption mode are transmitted to the access network 102.

  Specifically, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 outputs a low power consumption mode notification frame and a low power consumption mode control frame to the uplink frame processing unit 204.

  When the low power consumption mode notification frame and the low power consumption mode control frame are input, the uplink frame processing unit 204 inputs the input low power consumption mode notification frame and the low power consumption mode control frame from the user terminal interface unit 208. The received user frame is multiplexed and transmitted via the transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200.

  The low power consumption mode notification frame is transmitted to the station apparatus 101, and the low power consumption mode control frame is transmitted to the opposite in-home apparatus 100.

  Note that the transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200 and the transmission unit 210 of the user terminal interface unit 208 that stop functioning during the low power consumption mode are, for example, optical interfaces such as 1000BASE-SX defined by IEEE802.3. And corresponds to an optical transmitter that converts electricity and light.

  The display unit 211 notifies the user in which mode the in-home device 100 is operating, and is, for example, an LED. The display unit 211 is controlled by the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 so that the display unit 211 is lit in a color (for example, orange) different from the color (for example, green) in the normal mode during execution of the low power consumption mode.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the station apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  The station apparatus 101 includes an access network interface unit 308, an upstream frame processing unit 304, a relay network interface unit 300, a downstream frame processing unit 306, and a low power consumption mode determination processing unit 305.

  The relay network interface unit 300 is an interface for transmitting and receiving frames to and from the relay network 103. The frame transmitted / received to / from the relay network 103 by the relay network interface unit 300 is a user frame or an Ethernet OAM frame.

  The access network interface unit 308 is an interface for transmitting and receiving frames to and from the access network 102. The frame transmitted / received between the access network interface unit 308 and the access network 102 is a user frame or an Ethernet OAM frame.

  The upstream frame processing unit 304 determines whether to output the frame input from the access network interface unit 308 to the relay network interface unit 300 or to the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 305.

  Specifically, the uplink frame processing unit 304 determines whether the frame input from the access network interface unit 308 is an Ethernet OAM frame or a user frame.

  When the frame input from the access network interface unit 308 is a user frame, the uplink frame processing unit 304 outputs the frame to the relay network interface unit 300.

  On the other hand, when the frame input from the access network interface unit 308 is an Ethernet OAM frame, the upstream frame processing unit 304 analyzes the payload of the frame and determines whether or not the frame is a low power consumption mode notification frame. Determine.

  When it is determined that the frame input from the access network interface unit 308 is a low power consumption mode notification frame, the uplink frame processing unit 304 outputs the frame to the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 305.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the frame input from the access network interface unit 308 is not the low power consumption mode notification frame, the upstream frame processing unit 304 executes the Ethernet OAM process.

  Specifically, when the MEG level included in the Ethernet OAM frame is higher than the MEG level set in the station apparatus 101, the upstream frame processing unit 304 outputs the Ethernet OAM frame to the relay network interface unit 300.

  On the other hand, when the MEG level included in the Ethernet OAM frame matches the MEG level set in the station apparatus 101, the upstream frame processing unit 304 terminates the Ethernet OAM frame. When the MEG level included in the Ethernet OAM frame is lower than the MEG level set in the station apparatus 101, the upstream frame processing unit 304 discards the Ethernet OAM frame.

  The downlink frame processing unit 306 determines whether or not to output the frame input from the relay network interface unit 300 to the access network interface unit 308.

  Specifically, the downlink frame processing unit 306 determines whether the frame input from the relay network interface unit 300 is a user frame or an Ethernet OAM frame.

  When it is determined that the frame input from the relay network interface unit 300 is a user frame, the downlink frame processing unit 306 outputs the frame to the access network interface unit 308.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the frame input from the relay network interface unit 300 is an Ethernet OAM frame, the downlink frame processing unit 306 executes the Ethernet OAM process.

  Specifically, when the MEG level included in the Ethernet OAM frame is higher than the MEG level set in the station apparatus 101, the downlink frame processing unit 306 outputs the Ethernet OAM frame to the access network interface unit 308.

  On the other hand, when the MEG level included in the Ethernet OAM frame matches the MEG level set in the station apparatus 101, the downlink frame processing unit 306 terminates the Ethernet OAM frame. When the MEG level included in the Ethernet OAM frame is lower than the MEG level set in the station apparatus 101, the downlink frame processing unit 306 discards the Ethernet OAM frame.

  When the low power consumption mode notification frame is input from the upstream frame processing unit 304, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 305 suppresses (stops) the detection of the LOC alarm even if the CC frame is not received from the in-home device 100. To do.

  The LOC alarm is normally detected by the station apparatus 101 when the station apparatus 101 does not receive a CC frame for a predetermined time or more, and the station apparatus 101 transmits the LOC alarm to a network management apparatus (not shown). Here, the suppression of the detection of the LOC alarm means that the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 305 does not detect the LOC alarm that notifies the abnormality of the communication path even if the station apparatus 101 does not receive the CC frame for a predetermined time or more. Is to set.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram when the in-home devices 100A and 100B according to the first embodiment of the present invention transition to the low power consumption mode.

  The in-home device 100A periodically and continuously transmits CC frames to the station device 101A in the normal mode in which the power consumption is higher than that in the low power consumption mode (410A). The station device 101A receives the CC frame from the in-home device 100A (411A), thereby confirming the normality of the communication path between the station device 101A and the in-home device 100A.

  Similarly to the in-home device 100A, the in-home device 100B also periodically and continuously transmits a CC frame to the station device 101B (410B). Then, the station device 101B receives the CC frame from the in-home device 100B (411B), thereby confirming the normality of the communication path between the station device 101B and the in-home device 100B.

  Although not shown, the normality of the end-to-end communication path between the home device 100A and the home device 100B is confirmed.

  Specifically, the home device 100A periodically and continuously transmits the CC frame to the home device 100B, the home device 100B receives the CC frame from the home device 100A, and the home device 100B transmits the CC frame. Normal and continuous communication path between the in-home device 100A and the in-home device 100B by transmitting periodically and continuously to the in-home device 100A and the in-home device 100A receiving the CC frame from the in-home device 100B. Sex is confirmed.

  When the in-home device 100A detects that the physical link between itself and the user terminal 104A has been disconnected (400), the in-home device 100A transmits a low power consumption mode notification frame indicating that it has entered the low power consumption mode to the station device 101A. (414), and transmits a low power consumption mode control frame indicating a command to shift the in-home device 100B to the low power consumption mode to the in-home device 100B (416).

  The receiving unit 209 of the user terminal interface unit 208 detects that the physical link between the in-home device 100A and the user terminal 104A has been disconnected.

  Further, the transition to the low power consumption mode means that the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 transmits the transmission unit 210 of the user terminal interface unit 208 of the in-home device 100A and the transmission unit of the access network interface unit 200 as described in FIG. 201 and the upstream frame processing unit 204 are invalidated. Since the transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200 is invalidated in the low power consumption mode, the in-home device 100A stops the transmission of the CC frame (420) when transitioning to the low power consumption mode (401).

  When the station apparatus 101A receives the low power consumption mode notification frame transmitted by the in-home apparatus 100A (415), the station apparatus 101A recognizes that the in-home apparatus 100A transitions to the low power consumption mode, and the in-home apparatus 100A and the station apparatus 101A Suppress detection of the LOC alarm in the segment interval during (422).

  When the in-home device 100B receives the low power consumption mode control frame transmitted by the in-home device 100A in step 416 (417), the LOC alarm in the end / end section between the in-home device 100A and the in-home device 100B is received. The detection is suppressed (424), and the low power consumption mode notification frame is transmitted to the station apparatus 101B (419).

  When the station apparatus 101B receives the low power consumption mode notification frame transmitted by the in-home apparatus 100B in the process of step 419 (418), the station apparatus 101B recognizes that the in-home apparatus 100B transitions to the low power consumption state, and the in-home apparatus 100B And the detection of the LOC alarm between the station apparatus 101B (425).

  Next, the in-home device 100B transmits a low power consumption mode notification frame to the in-home device 100A (426), and when transitioning to the low power consumption mode (406), the transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200 is invalidated. Therefore, the CC frame transmission is stopped (421).

  When the in-home device 100A receives the low power consumption mode notification frame transmitted by the in-home device 100B in the process of step 426 (427), the LOC alarm in the end / end section between the in-home device 100A and the in-home device 100B is detected. (423).

  In FIG. 4, the in-home apparatus 100A transmits the low power consumption mode notification frame to the station apparatus 101A in the process of step 414 and then transmits the low power consumption mode control frame in the process of step 416. The transmission process of these frames should just be performed before changing to a low power consumption mode by the process of step 401, and the order of these processes may be performed first.

  Further, when the in-home device 100 transmits one low power consumption mode control frame and a low power consumption mode notification frame, if the frame is continuously transmitted at least two frames or more, the transmission destination device receives the frame. Can be reliably received. This is because there is a case where the frame is erroneously discarded by the station apparatus 101, the access network 102, the relay network 103, or the like before reaching the transmission destination from the transmission source.

  When the home device 100 transmits two or more low power consumption mode control frames and low power consumption mode notification frames, the transmission cycle of the low power consumption mode control frames and the low power consumption mode notification frames is defined as the CC frame transmission cycle. You may set similarly.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram when the in-home devices 100A and 100B according to the first embodiment of the present invention transition from the low power consumption mode to the normal mode.

  When the in-home device 100A detects physical link recovery with the user terminal 104A, the low power consumption mode is canceled and the normal mode is changed, and the in-home device 100B is also changed from the low power consumption mode to the normal mode.

  When detecting that the physical link between itself and the user terminal 104A has been restored (500), the in-home device 100A cancels the low power consumption mode and transitions to the normal mode (501).

  The recovery of the physical link between the in-home device 100A and the user terminal 104A is detected by the receiving unit 209 of the user terminal interface unit 208 that is not invalidated even in the low power consumption mode.

  In addition, to cancel the low power consumption mode, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 includes the transmission unit 210 of the user terminal interface unit 208 and the transmission unit of the access network interface unit 200 that have been invalidated during the low power consumption mode. 201 and the upstream frame processing unit 204 are made valid. Specifically, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 includes an upstream frame processing unit 204, a transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200, and a transmission unit of the user terminal interface unit 208 in an enable circuit (not shown) in the low power consumption mode. 210 is instructed to output an enable signal.

  When the supply of power to the upstream frame processing unit 204, the transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200, and the transmission unit 210 of the user terminal interface unit 208 is stopped and disabled, the power supply is performed. To start.

  Next, the in-home apparatus 100A starts transmitting CC frames to the station apparatus 101A and the in-home apparatus 100B (503). Then, the in-home device 100A transmits a low power consumption mode notification frame to the station device 101A to notify the station device 101A that the low power consumption mode has been canceled in step 501 (505). Note that the low power consumption mode notification frame for notifying that the low power consumption mode is released and the low power consumption mode notification frame for notifying that the low power consumption mode has been changed are distinguishable frames. is there. Details of the data structure of these low power consumption mode notification frames will be described with reference to FIG.

  Next, the in-home device 100A transmits a low power consumption mode control frame to the in-home device 100B in order to cause the in-home device 100B to cancel the low power consumption mode (508). Note that the low power consumption mode control frame for instructing transition to the low power consumption mode and the low power consumption mode control frame for instructing cancellation of the low power consumption mode are distinguishable frames. The data structure of these low power consumption mode control frames will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The station apparatus 101A receives the CC frame transmitted by the in-home apparatus 100A in step 503 (504). When the station device 101A receives the low power consumption mode notification frame (506), the station device 101A releases the detection suppression of the LOC alarm in the segment section between the in-home device 100A and the station device 101A (507).

  When the in-home device 100B receives the low power consumption mode control frame transmitted by the in-home device 100A in step 508 (509), the LOC alarm in the end / end section between the in-home device 100A and the in-home device 100B is received. Detection suppression is canceled (510).

  Then, the in-home device 100B cancels the low power consumption mode and transitions to the normal mode (502), and then starts to transmit a CC frame to the station device 101B (511).

  Next, the in-home apparatus 100B transmits a low power consumption mode notification frame to the station apparatus 101B in order to notify the station apparatus 101B that the low power consumption mode has been canceled in step 502 (513). In addition, the in-home device 100B transmits a low power consumption mode notification frame to the in-home device 100A in order to cause the in-home device 100A to cancel the detection suppression of the LOC alarm in the end / end section between the in-home device 100A and the in-home device 100B. (516).

  The station apparatus 101B receives the CC frame transmitted by the in-home apparatus 100B in step 511 (512). When receiving the low power consumption mode notification frame (514), the station apparatus 101B recognizes that the in-home apparatus 100B has released the low power consumption mode and has shifted to the normal mode, and the in-home apparatus 100B and the station apparatus 101B The detection suppression of the LOC alarm in the segment section is canceled (515).

  When the in-home device 100A receives the low power consumption mode notification frame transmitted by the in-home device 100B in the process of step 516 (517), the LOC alarm in the end / end section between the in-home device 100A and the in-home device 100B is received. Detection suppression is canceled (518).

  When the in-home device 100A starts transmission of the CC frame after the LOC alarm detection suppression of the station device 101A is released in the process of step 507 (after transmitting the low power consumption mode notification frame), the station device 101A There is a possibility that the predetermined time elapses before the CC device receives the CC frame, and the station apparatus 101A detects the LOC alarm. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the in-home device 100A performs the step before transmitting the low power consumption mode notification frame in the process of step 505 and the low power consumption mode control frame in the process of step 508. The transmission of the CC frame is started in the process 503.

  Note that also in the in-home device 100B, the transmission of the CC frame is started in the process of step 511 before the low power consumption mode notification frame is transmitted in the processes of steps 513 and 516.

  In FIG. 5, the in-home apparatus 100 and the station apparatus 101 cancel the detection suppression of the LOC alarm when receiving the low power consumption mode notification frame or the low power consumption mode control frame, but when receiving the CC frame. The detection suppression of the LOC alarm may be canceled.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a format configuration of a CC frame, a low power consumption mode notification frame, and a low power consumption control frame communicated in the network system according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  The CC frame, the low power consumption mode notification frame, and the low power consumption mode control frame are ITU-T Recommendation Y. It is created using the Ethernet OAM frame specified in 1731.

  As shown in FIG. 6, these frames include a destination MAC address 601, a source MAC address 602, a VLAN tag 603, a type 604, a payload 605, and an FCS (Frame Check Sequence) 606.

  The MAC address of the device that is the destination of the frame is registered in the destination MAC address 601, and the MAC address of its own device is registered in the source MAC address 602.

  A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) identifier is registered in the VLAN tag 603.

  In the type 604, a hexadecimal number “8902” indicating that the frame is an Ether OAM frame is registered.

  Payload 605 includes MEG level 607, version 608, OpCode 609, flag 610, TLV (Type Length Value) offset 611, and OAM data 612.

  In FCS 606, a value for detecting a data error is registered. The device on the transmission side calculates the checksum of the frame to be transmitted, registers it in the FCS 606, and transmits the frame. The receiving device calculates the checksum of the received frame, and if the calculated value matches the value registered in the FCS 606, it determines that there is no data error, and the calculated value matches the value registered in the FCS 606. If not, it is determined that there is a data error.

  In the MEG level 607 included in the payload 605, the MEG level indicating the management level of the OAM frame is registered. Details of the MEG level will be described with reference to FIG.

  In version 608, version information of the Ether OAM to be used is registered.

  OpCode 609 includes IEEE 802.1ag and ITU-T Recommendation Y.264. An identifier for identifying the function of the Ethernet OAM specified by 1731 is registered. In the OpCode 609 of the low power consumption mode notification frame and the low power consumption mode control frame, a hexadecimal number “33” indicating that a VSM (Vendor Specific OAM Message) frame is used is registered. On the other hand, a hexadecimal number “01” indicating that the CC frame is used is registered in the OpCode 609 of the CC frame.

  That is, in the OpCode 609 of this embodiment, an identifier for identifying whether the frame is a VSM frame that is a low power consumption mode notification frame or a low power consumption mode control frame, or a CC frame is registered.

  Information indicating the transmission cycle of the frame is registered in the flag 610. In the TLV offset 611, a fixed field length up to the TLV is registered.

  In addition, the OAM data 612 that can be uniquely used by the vendor in the VSM frame includes information on the low power consumption mode (OUI (Organizationally Unique Identifier) 618, SubOpCode 613, TLV type 614, information identification 615, operation status 616, and mode type). 617).

  An organization ID is registered in the OUI 618. In the SubOpCode 613, an identifier indicating whether the VSM frame is a low power consumption mode notification frame or a low power consumption mode control frame is registered. When indicating a low power consumption mode notification frame, a hexadecimal number “31” indicating an event notification frame is registered in the SubOpCode 613. On the other hand, when indicating that the frame is a low power consumption mode control frame, the hexadecimal number “21” indicating that it is a remote control frame is registered in the SubOpCode 613.

  In the TLV type 614, an identifier indicating the TLV type is registered. The information identification 615 is an identifier indicating a management target to be controlled, and the hexadecimal number “30” is used in the low power consumption mode.

  In the operation state 616, an identifier indicating which mode the home device 100 of the transmission source changes to is registered. When the home device 100 of the transmission source transits to the low power consumption mode, the hexadecimal number “01” is registered in the operation state 616, and when the home device 100 of the transmission source transits to the normal mode, the operation state 616 includes 16 The decimal number “00” is registered.

  If “01” is registered in the operation state 616 of the low power consumption mode notification frame, the frame serves as an instruction to suppress detection of the LOC alarm of the station apparatus 101 and the opposite in-home apparatus 100. Further, if “00” is registered in the operation state 616 of the low power consumption mode notification frame, the frame serves as an instruction to cancel detection suppression of the LOC alarm of the station apparatus 101 and the opposite in-home apparatus 100.

  If “01” is registered in the operation state 616 of the low power consumption mode control frame, the frame shifts the opposite in-home device 100 to the low power consumption mode and detects the LOC alarm of the opposite in-home device 100. It is an instruction to suppress. Also, if “00” is registered in the operation state 616 of the low power consumption mode control frame, the frame causes the opposing home device 100 to transition to the normal mode, and the LOC alarm of the opposing home device 100 is detected. It is an instruction to release the suppression.

  In the mode type 617, an identifier of the control mode of the home device 100 to be controlled is registered.

  Regarding the control mode, two control modes are prepared in this embodiment, and specifically, a first mode and a second mode are prepared.

  The identifier of the first mode is hexadecimal “01”, and the identifier of the second mode is hexadecimal “03”.

  In the first mode, a transition to the low power consumption mode is instructed by invalidating the transmission unit 210 of the user terminal interface unit 208, the transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200, and the upstream frame processing unit 204 of the in-home device 100 To do.

  The second mode instructs transition to the low power consumption mode by invalidating the user terminal interface unit 208 of the in-home device 100, the transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200, and the upstream frame processing unit 204. The second mode is different from the first mode in that the reception unit 209 and the transmission unit 210 of the user terminal interface unit 208 are invalidated. The second mode is not used in the present embodiment, but is used in a modification of the present embodiment.

  The first mode and the second mode are used when the power mode of the in-home device 100 opposed to the in-home device 100 is controlled, and when the station device 101 controls the power mode of the in-home device 100.

  The MEG level of the low power consumption mode control frame is set to the MEG level in the end-to-end section between the in-home device 100 and the in-home device 100 when the in-home device 100 is controlled by the in-home device 100. When the home device 100 is controlled, the MEG level of the segment section between the station device 101 and the home device 100 is set.

  The forced execution control in which the station apparatus 101 shifts the in-home apparatus 100 to the low power consumption mode is performed by registering “01” in the operation state 616 and registering the first mode or the second mode in the mode identification 617. Use control frames.

  The forcible execution is used before a user is opened without data communication from the user terminal 104 after completion of the line construction up to the in-home device 100 (that is, before service provision).

  Canceling the forced execution that the station apparatus 101 has made the in-home apparatus 100 uses a low power consumption mode control frame in which “00” is registered in the operation state 616.

  A fixed value (hexadecimal number “00”) is registered in the padding 619 so that the frame length of the Ethernet OAM frame is equal to or greater than the minimum packet length.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram until the low power consumption mode control frame and the low power consumption mode notification frame reach the destination device according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  The in-home device 100 and the station device 101 are set with MEP points for terminating the Ethernet OAM frame.

  The MEG level sets a monitoring section, and the monitoring section can be set to an arbitrary section such as between the access network 102 and end-to-end by setting the MEG level.

  Here, the segment MEG level 702 of the MEP point set in the station apparatuses 101A and 101B connected to the relay network 103 is set to “3”. The segment MEG level 701 at the MEP point set in the in-home devices 100A and 100B as the end points is set to “3”, and the end / end MEG level 700 is set to “4”. The MEG level 703 of the MEP point set in the device of the access network 102 and the device of the relay network 103 is set to “2” which is less than “3”.

  Note that the Ethernet OAM filter processing based on the MEG level at the MEP point is ITU-T Recommendation Y. It conforms to the provisions of 1731.

  An identifier indicating that it is a low power consumption mode notification frame is registered in the SubOpCode 613 area of the low power consumption mode notification frame generated by the in-home device 100, and a station that is a frame arrival point is registered in the MEG level 607 area. The value “3” of the MEG level 702 of the segment set at the MEP point of the apparatus 101 is registered.

  An identifier indicating that it is a low power consumption mode control frame is registered in the region of SubOpCode 613 of the low power consumption mode control frame generated by the in-home device 100, and an in-home that is a frame arrival point is registered in the region of MEG level 607. The value “4” of the end-to-end MEG level 700 set at the MEP point of the apparatus 100 is registered.

  When the device of the access network 102 receives the low power consumption mode notification frame transmitted by the in-home device 100, the device of the access network 102 determines that the received low power consumption mode notification frame is the Ethernet OAM frame, and then determines the MEG level 607 of the frame. Read.

  The MEG level registered in the MEG level 607 of the low power consumption mode notification frame is “3”, the MEG level 703 set in the device of the access network 102 is “2”, and the MEG of the low power consumption mode notification frame is Level 607 is greater than MEG level 703 of the access network 102 device. Therefore, the device of the access network 102 determines that the received low power consumption mode notification frame is an Ethernet OAM frame exceeding the MEG level, and transmits the low power consumption mode notification frame. As a result, the low power consumption mode notification frame transmitted by the home device 100 passes through the access network 102 and reaches the station device 101.

  The MEG level registered in the MEG level 607 of the low power consumption mode control frame transmitted by the in-home device 100 is “4”, and the MEG level 703 set in the device of the access network 102 and the device of the relay network 103 is “ The MEG level 607 of the low power consumption mode control frame is higher than the MEG level 703 of the device of the access network 102 and the device of the relay network 103. For this reason, the device of the access network 102 and the device of the relay network 103 determine the received low power consumption mode control frame as an Ethernet OAM frame exceeding the MEG level, and transmit the low power consumption mode control frame. As a result, the low power consumption mode control frame transmitted by the in-home device 100 passes through the station device 101, the access network 102, and the relay network 103, and is transmitted to the opposite in-home device 100.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the in-home device 100 detects that the physical link with the user terminal is disconnected, the low power consumption mode is an instruction to shift to the opposite in-home device 100 to the low power consumption mode. A control frame is transmitted to shift itself to the low power consumption mode. Further, when the opposing in-home device 100 receives the low power consumption mode control frame, it switches itself to the low power consumption mode. Accordingly, if one of the in-home devices 100 is in a state where data communication is not possible, both of the in-home devices 100 can be shifted to the low power consumption mode, and the power consumption of the subscriber's home can be effectively reduced.

  Further, when the in-home device 100 transitions to the low power consumption mode, the station device 101 transmits a low power consumption mode notification frame to notify the station device 101 that the self device transitions to the low power consumption mode. It can be understood that 100 transitions to the low power consumption mode, and the LOC alarm is not detected even if the CC frame is not received for a predetermined time or more. As a result, the LOC alarm is detected only when an abnormality occurs in the communication path.

(Modification of the first embodiment)
In the first embodiment, when the physical link with the user terminal 104 is disconnected, the home device 100 transmits itself and the transmission unit 210 of the user terminal interface unit 208 and the access network interface unit 200 of the opposite home device 100. The unit 201 and the upstream frame processing unit 204 are invalidated and transition to the low power consumption mode is performed.

  In this modification, when the physical link with the access network 102 is disconnected or when the LOC alarm is detected from the station device 101, the in-home device 100 itself and the user terminal interface unit 208 of the opposite in-home device 100, access The transmission unit 201 and the upstream frame processing unit 204 of the network interface unit 200 are invalidated and the mode is changed to the low power consumption mode.

  The disconnection of the physical link with the access network 102 is detected by the receiving unit 202 of the access network interface unit 200. Further, the LOC alarm from the station apparatus 101 is detected by the downstream frame processing unit 206.

  The present modification is different from the first embodiment in that the reception unit 209 of the user terminal interface unit 208 is also invalidated when the low power consumption mode is changed.

  In this modification, since the transition to the low power consumption mode is caused by a failure on the access network 102 side, the user terminal interface 208 does not have to be monitored at the time of transition to the low power consumption mode. The receiving unit 209 of the unit 208 is also invalidated.

  In addition, you may implement | achieve this modification in combination with 1st Embodiment. In this case, the mode type 617 of the low power consumption mode control frame transmitted when the physical link with the access network 102 is disconnected or when the LOC alarm is detected from the station apparatus 101 indicates that it is mode 2. An identifier indicating that the mode is 1 is registered in the mode type 617 of the low power consumption mode control frame transmitted when the identifier is registered and the physical link with the user terminal 104 is disconnected.

  Thereby, even if the location to be invalidated differs depending on the location where the abnormality is detected, the in-home device 100 can transition to the low power consumption mode by invalidating the location corresponding to the detected abnormal location.

(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the in-home device 100 includes a plurality of physical ports 801 and 802 that can accommodate the user terminal 104, and the physical device provided in the in-home device 100A includes a single user terminal 104 for each physical port. When the physical link with the user terminal 104 is disconnected at one physical port among the ports, the physical port corresponding to the physical port with the physical link disconnected is reduced among the physical ports provided in the opposite in-home device 100 Transition to power mode.

  FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram of the network system according to the second embodiment of this invention.

  The in-home device 100A includes two physical ports 801A and 802A, and user terminals 104A and 104C are accommodated in the two physical ports 801A and 802A. The in-home device 100B includes two physical ports 801B and 802B, and user terminals 104B and 104D are accommodated in the two physical ports 801B and 802B.

  An identifier of a communication line (VLAN) through which a frame is transmitted in the end-to-end section of the Ethernet network is included in the VLAN tag of the Ethernet frame.

  The in-home device 100 and the station device 101 manage communication line connection information using a VLAN table (see FIG. 8).

  FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram of a VLAN table held by the in-home device 100 and the station device 101 according to the second embodiment of this invention.

  The VLAN table held by the in-home device 100 includes a UNI (User Network Interface) port number 805, a UNI VID 803, and an ANI (Access Network Interface) VID 804.

  In the UNI port number 805, a unique identifier of a physical port provided in the in-home device 100 is registered. In the UNI VID 803, a VLAN identifier on the user terminal 104 side is registered. In the ANI VID 804, a VLAN identifier on the access network 102 side is registered.

  The VLAN table held by the station apparatus 101 includes an ANI VID 806 and an NNI (Network Node Interface) VID 807.

  In the ANI VID 806, a VLAN identifier on the access network 102 side is registered. In the NNI VID 807, a VLAN identifier on the relay network 103 side is registered.

  In the in-home device 100 and the station device 101, the VID value of the received ether frame is set to the interface (reception side interface) that has received the ether frame among the VID values registered in the VLAN table held in the own device. If it matches the VID value, the receiving process of the ether frame is executed.

  Then, the apparatus acquires the VID value of the same entry as the VID value set in the receiving interface that matches the VID value of the received Ether frame among the VID values registered in the VLAN table, and receives the received Ether frame. The VID value is converted into the acquired VID value, and an Ethernet frame is transmitted.

  An operation until an Ethernet frame belonging to the communication line A (VLAN A) received by the physical port A 801A provided in the in-home device 100A reaches the physical port A 801B of the in-home device 100B facing the in-home device 100A will be described.

  When the VID value of the ether frame received by the physical port A 801A provided in the in-home device 100A is “1”, the in-home device 100A refers to the VLAN table shown in FIG. 8B and registers the VID value of the ether frame in the UNI VID 803A. If the VID value matches, the received Ethernet frame is received, and the Ethernet frame obtained by converting the VID value into the value “101” registered in the ANI VID 804A is transmitted to the station apparatus 101A.

  On the other hand, when the VID value of the received ether frame is not registered in the VLAN table, the in-home device 100A discards the ether frame.

  The VID value of the Ethernet frame received by the physical port A 801A of the in-home device 100 is set in advance for each user terminal 104A connected to the physical port A 801A. For example, when the user terminal 104A is connected to the physical port A 801A, the physical port A 801A receives an Ethernet frame having a VID value “1” from the user terminal 104A.

  In FIG. 8B, the physical port A 801A has two communication lines A and B (VLANs A and B), and the user is identified by the UNI VID included in the frame from the user terminal 104 connected to the physical port A 801A. One communication line (VLAN) to which the terminal 104 belongs is selected.

  Similarly to the in-home device 100A, the station device 101A and the station device 101B refer to the VLAN table, determine whether to receive or discard an Ethernet frame, and if it is determined to receive an Ethernet frame, Convert the VID value of the frame.

  Specifically, the station apparatus 101A converts the VID value “101” of the received Ether frame into a VID value “501” registered in the NNI VID 807A, and the received Ethernet frame is connected to the station apparatus via the relay network 103. 101B is transmitted.

  The station apparatus 101B converts the VID value “501” of the received ether frame into the VID value “201” registered in the ANI VID 806B, and transmits the received ether frame to the in-home apparatus 100B via the access network 102B.

  The in-home device 100B sets the VID value of the received ether frame to “11” according to the collation result in which the VID value “201” of the received ether frame matches the VID value “201” registered in the ANI VID of the VLAN table. The converted Ethernet frame is transmitted from the physical port A 801B to the user terminal 104B.

  As described above, in the network system of the present embodiment, data communication can be performed between user terminals 104 belonging to the same communication line, and data communication cannot be performed between user terminals 104 belonging to different communication lines.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of frames transmitted and received in the network system according to the second embodiment of this invention.

  Similar to FIG. 6, the frame includes a destination MAC address 601, a source MAC address 602, a VLAN tag 603, a type 604, a payload 605, and an FCS 606.

  The destination MAC address 601, source MAC address 602, type 604, payload 605, and FCS 606 are the same as those in FIG.

  The VLAN tag 603 conforms to the IEEE 802.1Q standard, and includes a TPID (Tag Protocol Identifier) 901 indicating the VLAN tag, a COS (Class Of Service) 902 indicating the priority of the frame, and a CFI (Canonical Format Indicator) indicating the frame format. 903 and a VLAN ID (VLAN Identifier: hereinafter referred to as VID) 904 used for identifying a communication line (VLAN).

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the home device 100 according to the second embodiment of this invention.

  In addition to the access network interface unit 200, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205, the downlink frame processing unit 206, and the display unit 211 described in FIG. 2, the in-home device 100 includes a plurality of ports A801 and B802, and uplink frame multiplexing. Section 1000 and a VLAN table 1001.

  The port A 801 and the port B 802 (hereinafter collectively referred to as a port) include user terminal interface units 208A and 208B and upstream frame processing units 204A and 204B.

  The user terminal interface units 208A and 208B are the same as the user terminal interface unit 208 shown in FIG. The upstream frame processing units 204A and 204B are the same as the upstream frame processing unit 204 shown in FIG.

  The upstream frame multiplexing unit 1000 multiplexes upstream frames transmitted from the ports 801 and 802 to the access network 102. Further, the uplink frame multiplexing unit 1000 multiplexes the low power consumption mode control frame and the low power consumption mode notification frame generated by the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 and inputs them to the transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200. .

  As described with reference to FIG. 8B, the VLAN table 1001 manages the relationship between the communication line and the VLAN set for each interface.

  The downlink frame processing unit 206 reads the ether frame type 604 input from the receiving unit 202 of the access network interface unit, and determines whether it is an ether OAM frame or a user frame.

  When it is determined that the input Ether frame is a user frame, the downlink frame processing unit 206 receives the VID value registered in the VID 904 of the user frame to which the VID value registered in the ANI VID 804 from the VLAN table entry Search for matching entries. When a matching entry is found, the downlink frame processing unit 206 converts a VLAN-tagged user frame obtained by converting the VID 904 of the input user frame into a VID value registered in the UNI VID 803 of the entry. Output to the port registered in the UNI port 805.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the input Ether frame is an Ether OAM frame, the downlink frame processing unit 206 reads the information identification 615 of the input Ether OAM frame, and the information identification 615 is a frame related to the low power consumption mode. It is determined whether or not the hexadecimal number “30” indicating this is registered. When it is determined that the hexadecimal number “30” is registered in the information identification 615, the downlink frame processing unit 206 inputs the input Ether OAM frame to the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205.

  The low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 refers to the SubOpCode 613 of the input Ether OAM frame and determines whether the input Ether OAM frame is a low power consumption mode control frame or a low power consumption mode notification frame.

  When the input Ether OAM frame is a low power consumption mode control frame, information indicating that the low power consumption mode control frame is received is registered in an entry corresponding to the VID value of the received frame in the VLAN table. .

  On the other hand, when the input Ethernet OAM frame is a low power consumption mode notification frame, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 suppresses detection of an end / end LOC alarm of the communication line specified by the VID 904 of the frame. Or cancel the suppression.

  Further, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 disconnects the physical link between each port and the user terminal 104 accommodated by each port based on the physical link state monitoring result of the reception units 209A and 209B provided in the ports 801 and 802. Detect whether it was done.

  When the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 detects a port where the physical link with the user terminal 104 is disconnected, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 invalidates the uplink frame processing unit 204 and the transmission unit 210 of the user terminal interface unit 208 provided in the port, Transition to low power consumption mode.

  In addition, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 displays a low power consumption mode control frame and a low power consumption notification frame including one of the communication line identifiers prepared for the port where the physical link with the user terminal 104 is disconnected. Send. This transmission process is executed until a low power consumption mode control frame and a low power consumption mode notification frame corresponding to all communication line identifiers prepared for the port are transmitted.

  In addition, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 invalidates the transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200 when all the ports transition to the low power consumption mode. This is because if any port is normally communicating with the user terminal 104 and the transmission unit 201 of the access network interface unit 200 is disabled, the user terminal 104 can transmit a frame to the access network 102. This is because it disappears.

  The in-home device 100A will be described with respect to processing for switching the in-home device 100B to the low power consumption mode when it is detected that the physical link between the port 801A and the user terminal 104A has been disconnected.

  As described above, the in-home device 100A transmits the low power consumption mode control frame and the low power consumption mode notification frame including the communication line prepared in the port A 801A where the physical link with the user terminal 104A is disconnected. Here, since the lines A and B are prepared for the port A 801, a frame including “101” in the VID 904 and a frame including “102” in the VID 904 are transmitted.

Note that the identifier (ANI VID “110”) of the communication line prepared for the port B 801B is not used. FIG. 11 illustrates the low power consumption executed by the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 according to the second embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of a mode control process.

  First, when the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 receives the low power consumption mode control frame from the downlink frame processing unit 206 (1100), the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 changes to the operation state 616 included in the payload 605 of the received low power consumption mode control frame. Then, it is determined whether or not an identifier (hexadecimal number “01”) indicating a transition to the low power consumption mode is registered (1101).

  In the processing of step 1101, when an identifier indicating transition to the low power consumption mode is not registered in the operation state 616 of the received low power consumption mode control frame, that is, an identifier (16 indicating transition to the normal mode) When it is determined that the decimal number “00”) is registered, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 executes the low power consumption mode release processing illustrated in FIG. 12 (1102).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1101 that an identifier indicating transition to the low power consumption mode is registered in the operation state 616 of the received low power consumption mode control frame, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 sets the reception flag of the entry whose VID value registered in the VLAN table matches the VID value registered in the VID 904 of the received low power consumption mode control frame to “1” (1103).

  Details of the VLAN table held by the in-home device 100 are shown in FIG. In brief, the VLAN table includes a reception flag 1300 in addition to the port 805A, the UNI VID 803A, and the ANI VID 804A described with reference to FIG. 8B. In the reception flag 1300, “1” indicating that the low power consumption mode control frame is received or “0” indicating that the low power consumption mode control frame is not received is registered.

  Next, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 sets a port (hereinafter referred to as a target port) in which a communication line specified by the VID registered in the VID 904 of the received low power consumption mode control frame is set to the low power consumption mode. In order to determine whether to make a transition to “1”, it is determined whether or not “1” is registered in all the reception flags 1300 of the port with reference to the VLAN table (1104).

  If it is determined in step 1104 that “1” is not registered in all reception flags 1300 of the target port, the process proceeds to step 1107.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the processing of step 1104 that “1” is registered in all the reception flags 1300 of the target port, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205
A low power consumption mode notification frame including the VID registered in the ANI VID 804 of all communication lines set in the target port is transmitted (1105).

  Then, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 disables the transmission unit 210 and the uplink frame processing unit 204 of the user terminal interface unit 208 included in the target port, thereby transitioning the target port to the low power consumption mode ( 1106).

  Next, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 determines whether or not all the ports provided in the in-home device 100 have transitioned to the low power consumption mode (1107). Specifically, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 determines whether “1” is registered in the reception flags 1300 of all the VID values in the VLAN table.

  If it is determined in step 1107 that all ports provided in the in-home device 100 have not transitioned to the low power consumption mode, the low power consumption mode control process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1107 that all ports provided in the in-home device 100 have transitioned to the low power consumption mode, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 transmits the transmission unit of the access network interface unit 200. 201 is invalidated (1108), and the low power consumption mode control processing is terminated.

  In the process of step 1104 in FIG. 11, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 determines whether or not the port corresponding to the VID of the received low power consumption mode control frame can be shifted to the low power consumption mode. Alternatively, it may be determined whether or not each port provided in the in-home device 100 can transition to the low power consumption mode. Thereby, it is possible to prevent leakage of transition to the low power consumption mode of each port.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the low power consumption mode release process executed by the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 according to the second embodiment of this invention.

  First, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 determines whether or not all the ports provided in the in-home device 100 have transitioned to the low power consumption mode (1200). Specifically, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 determines whether “1” is registered in the reception flag 1300 corresponding to all the VID values registered in the VLAN table.

  If “1” is not registered in all the reception flags 1300 in the process of step 1200, that is, if it is determined that all the ports have not transitioned to the low power consumption mode, the process of step 1202 is performed. Transition.

  On the other hand, when “1” is registered in all the reception flags 1300 in the processing of step 1200, that is, when it is determined that all the ports have transitioned to the low power consumption mode, the access network interface unit 200. The transmitting unit 201 is activated (1201).

  Next, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 transitions the port (target port) in which the communication line specified by the VID registered in the VID 904 of the received low power consumption mode control frame is set to the low power consumption mode. It is determined whether or not (1202).

  Specifically, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 has an entry in which the VID value registered in the ANI VID 804 set in the VLAN table matches the VID value registered in the VID 904 of the received low power consumption mode control frame. It is determined whether or not “1” is set in the reception flag 1300.

  If it is determined in step 1202 that the target port has not transitioned to the low power consumption mode, the process proceeds to step 1205.

  If it is determined in step 1202 that the target port has transitioned to the low power consumption mode, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 cancels the low power consumption mode of the target port (1203). Specifically, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 activates the transmission unit 210 and the uplink frame processing unit 204 of the user terminal interface unit 208 provided in the target port.

  Next, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 transmits a low power consumption mode notification frame in which an identifier indicating transition to the normal mode is registered in the operation state 616 (1204). Note that the VID value registered in the VID 904 of the low power consumption mode control frame received in the process of step 1100 shown in FIG. 11 is registered in the VID 904 of the low power consumption mode notification frame transmitted in step 1204.

  Then, the low power consumption mode determination processing unit 205 sets “VID value registered in the ANI VID 804 of the VLAN table to the reception flag 1300 of the entry that matches the VID value registered in the VID 904 of the received low power consumption mode control frame. 0 ”is registered (1205), and the low power consumption mode release processing is terminated.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a VLAN table held by the in-home device 100 according to the second embodiment of this invention.

  The VLAN table includes a reception flag 1300 in addition to the ANI VID 804, the UNI VID 803, and the UNI port number 805.

  When the station apparatus 101 sets a communication line to the in-home apparatus 100, the ANI VID 804, the UNI VID 803, and the UNI port number 805 are set in the VLAN table. The initial value of the reception flag 1300 is “0”.

  In the reception flag 1300, “1” is registered when the in-home device 100 receives a low power consumption mode control frame whose operation state 616 indicates the low power consumption mode, and the low power consumption mode where the operation state 616 indicates the normal mode. When the home device 100 receives the control frame, “0” is recorded.

  For example, when the in-home apparatus 100A receives the low power consumption mode control frame in which the ANI VID is “101” and the operation state 616 indicates the low power consumption mode, the entry of “101” registered in the ANI VID 804 of the VLAN table is displayed. The reception flag 1300 is set to “1”, and the reception flag 1300 of the entry whose ANI VID 804 is “102” and “110” that has not received the low power consumption mode control frame remains “0”.

  As described above, in the network system in which the user terminal 104 performs data communication for each communication line, when the physical link with the user terminal 104 is disconnected, the in-home device 100 corresponds to the port in which the physical link is disconnected. 100 ports can be shifted to the low power consumption mode.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 In-home apparatus 101 Station apparatus 102 Access network 103 Relay network 104 User terminal 200 Access network interface part 201 Transmission part 202 Receiving part 204 Up frame process part 205 Low power consumption mode determination process part 206 Down frame process part 208 User terminal interface part 209 Reception unit 209 Transmission unit 210 Transmission unit 211 Display unit 300 Relay network interface unit 304 Up frame processing unit 305 Low power consumption mode determination processing unit 306 Down frame processing unit 308 Access network interface unit

Claims (18)

In a network system comprising a home device that accommodates a user terminal and a station device connected to the home device via an access network,
The home device includes a first home device and a second home device, the station device includes a first station device and a second station device,
The first home device and the first station device are connected via a first access network, the second home device and the second station device are connected via a second access network,
The first station device and the second station device are connected via a relay network,
The first home device and the second home device are connected one-to-one via the first access network, the relay network, and the second access network,
The in-home device is
A physical link disconnection determination unit that determines whether a physical link with the user terminal is disconnected;
When it is determined by the physical link disconnection unit that the physical link with the user terminal is disconnected, the physical link is shifted to a low power consumption mode in which the power consumption is lower than that in the normal mode, and connected one-to-one via the relay network A low power consumption mode processing unit that transmits a low power consumption mode control signal for transitioning to the low power consumption mode to the opposite in-home device,
The network system according to claim 1, wherein the low power consumption mode processing unit shifts itself to the low power consumption mode even when the low power consumption mode control signal is received from the other in-home device. The in-home device is
A user terminal interface connected to the user terminal;
An access network interface connected to the access network,
The user terminal interface includes a first transmission unit that transmits a signal to the user terminal and a first reception unit that receives a frame from the user terminal;
The access network interface includes a second transmission unit that transmits a signal to the access network and a second reception unit that receives a frame from the access network;
The in-home device is
A monitoring signal transmission unit that transmits a monitoring signal from the second transmission unit to the station device and the other in-house device at a predetermined period;
When the second receiving unit does not receive the monitoring signal from the other in-home device for a predetermined time longer than the predetermined period, an abnormality in a communication path between the in-home device and the other in-home device is detected. 1 abnormality detecting part,
The low power consumption mode processing unit transitions to the low power consumption mode by disabling at least the second transmission unit,
When the in-home device transitions to the low power consumption mode, the monitoring signal transmission unit is in a state where the monitoring signal cannot be transmitted,
When the station apparatus has not received the monitoring signal for a predetermined time longer than the predetermined period, a communication path between the station apparatus and the in-home apparatus connected to the station apparatus via the access network A second anomaly detector for detecting an anomaly;
The first abnormality detection unit stops detecting the abnormality of the communication path when the second reception unit receives the low power consumption mode control signal,
The low power consumption mode processing unit is included in the station device connected to the in-home device via the access network when the physical link disconnection determination unit determines that the physical link with the user terminal is disconnected. Transmitting a low power consumption mode notification signal to the station apparatus to stop the second abnormality detection unit from detecting an abnormality of the communication path;
The network system according to claim 1, wherein the second abnormality detection unit stops detecting the abnormality of the communication path when receiving the low power consumption mode notification signal.   The low power consumption mode processing unit transmits the low power consumption mode control signal to the other indoor device a plurality of times before the home device is shifted to the low power consumption mode, and the low power consumption mode notification signal is transmitted. The network system according to claim 2, wherein is transmitted to the station device a plurality of times. When the low power consumption mode processing unit determines that the physical link has been recovered, the low power consumption mode transitions from the low power consumption mode to the normal mode by enabling the invalidated second transmission unit,
The monitoring signal transmission unit resumes transmission of the monitoring signal when the second transmission unit is enabled,
The low power consumption mode processing unit transmits the low power consumption mode control signal indicating that the in-home device has transitioned to the normal mode from the second transmission unit to the other in-home device,
When the low power consumption mode processing unit included in the other in-home device receives the monitoring signal or the low power consumption mode control signal indicating transition to the normal mode, the low power consumption mode is switched from the low power consumption mode to the normal mode. The network system according to claim 2, wherein the network system is transitioned to. The in-home device is
An upstream frame processing unit that performs transmission processing on a frame transmitted to the access network;
The low power consumption mode determination unit includes:
Determining whether the physical link with the user terminal has been disconnected and whether the physical link with the station apparatus connected via the access network has been disconnected;
When it is determined that the physical link with the user terminal has been disconnected, the first transmission unit, the second transmission unit, and the uplink frame processing unit are invalidated to transition to the low power consumption mode,
When it is determined that a physical link with the access network has been disconnected, the user terminal interface, the second transmission unit, and the uplink frame processing unit are invalidated to transition to the low power consumption mode. The network system according to claim 2. The in-home device includes a plurality of ports that accommodate one user terminal,
The port comprises the user terminal interface;
At least one VLAN can be set in the port,
The in-home device selects one VLAN corresponding to the identifier of the user terminal connected to the port, and transmits a frame including the selected VLAN identifier from the second transmission unit,
When the indoor device receives a signal including the VLAN identifier from the second receiving unit, the indoor device transmits the frame to a port for which the VLAN specified by the VLAN identifier included in the signal is selected,
The physical link disconnection determination unit determines whether a physical link between the user terminal and the port is disconnected,
The low power consumption mode processing unit includes:
When the physical link disconnection determination unit determines that the physical link with the user terminal is disconnected, the first transmission unit of the port where the physical link with the user terminal is disconnected is invalidated,
Transmitting the low power consumption mode control signal including a VLAN identifier that can be set to a port where a physical link with the user terminal is disconnected;
When the low power consumption mode control signal is received, the first transmission unit of the VLAN identifier port included in the received low power consumption mode control signal is invalidated,
3. The network system according to claim 2, wherein when the first transmission unit of all ports provided in itself is invalidated, the second transmission unit provided in the access network interface is invalidated. The low power consumption mode processing unit includes:
7. The first transmission unit of the port is invalidated when the low power consumption mode control signal including identifiers of all VLANs that can be set in a port included in the previous port is received. The network system described in 1.   7. The network system according to claim 6, wherein the signal including the VLAN identifier uses an Ethernet frame with a VLAN tag. The low power consumption mode control signal and the low power consumption mode notification signal are ITU-T Recommendation Y. Use the Ethernet OAM VSM frame specified in 1731,
The monitoring signal is an ITU-T recommendation Y.E. The network system according to claim 2, wherein a CC frame of Ethernet OAM specified in 1731 is used. In the power consumption control method of the home device in a network system comprising a home device accommodating a user terminal and a station device connected to the home device via an access network,
The home device includes a first home device and a second home device, the station device includes a first station device and a second station device,
The first home device and the first station device are connected via a first access network, the second home device and the second station device are connected via a second access network,
The first station device and the second station device are connected via a relay network,
The first home device and the second home device are connected one-to-one via the first access network, the relay network, and the second access network,
The method
A physical link disconnection determination step for determining whether a physical link with the user terminal is disconnected;
If it is determined in the physical link disconnection step that the physical link with the user terminal is disconnected, the physical link is shifted to a low power consumption mode in which the power consumption is lower than that in the normal mode, and the connection is made one-to-one via the relay network. A low power consumption mode processing step of transmitting a low power consumption mode control signal as a command to make a transition to the low power consumption mode to the opposite in-home device,
In the low power consumption mode processing step, even when the low power consumption mode control signal is received from the other in-home device, the power consumption control method is characterized in that it shifts itself to the low power consumption mode. The in-home device is
A user terminal interface connected to the user terminal;
An access network interface connected to the access network,
The user terminal interface includes a first transmission unit that transmits a frame to the user terminal and a first reception unit that receives a frame from the user terminal;
The access network interface includes a second transmission unit that transmits a frame to the access network and a second reception unit that receives a frame from the access network;
The method
A monitoring signal transmission step of transmitting a monitoring signal from the second transmission unit to the station device and the other in-home device at a predetermined period;
When the second receiving unit does not receive the monitoring signal from the other in-home device for a predetermined time longer than the predetermined period, an abnormality in a communication path between the in-home device and the other in-home device is detected. 1 abnormality detection step,
The low power consumption mode processing step includes a step of transitioning to the low power consumption mode by disabling at least the second transmission unit,
When the in-home device transitions to the low power consumption mode, the monitoring signal cannot be transmitted,
When the station apparatus has not received the monitoring signal for a predetermined time longer than the predetermined period, a communication path between the station apparatus and the in-home apparatus connected to the station apparatus via the access network Including a second abnormality detection step of detecting an abnormality,
The first abnormality detection step includes a step of stopping detection of an abnormality in the communication path when the second reception unit receives the low power consumption mode control signal,
In the low power consumption mode processing step, when it is determined in the physical link disconnection determination step that the physical link with the user terminal is disconnected, the station device connected to the in-home device via the access network Including a step of transmitting a low power consumption mode notification signal for stopping detection of an abnormality of the communication path to the station apparatus in a second abnormality detection step,
11. The power consumption control method according to claim 10, wherein the second abnormality detection step includes a step of stopping detection of an abnormality in the communication path when the low power consumption mode notification signal is received.   In the low power consumption mode processing step, the low power consumption mode control signal is transmitted to the other indoor device a plurality of times before the in-home device is shifted to the low power consumption mode, and the low power consumption mode notification signal is transmitted. The power consumption control method according to claim 11, wherein the power is transmitted to the station device a plurality of times. In the low power consumption mode processing step, when it is determined that the physical link has been recovered, the second transmission unit that has been invalidated is enabled to transition from the low power consumption mode to the normal mode,
In the monitoring signal transmission step, when the second transmission unit is enabled, transmission of the monitoring signal is resumed,
In the low power consumption mode processing step, the low power consumption mode control signal indicating that the in-home device has transitioned to the normal mode is transmitted from the second transmission unit to the other in-home device,
In the low power consumption mode processing step in the other home device, when the monitoring signal or the low power consumption mode control signal indicating transition to the normal mode is received, the low power consumption mode is changed to the normal mode. The power consumption control method according to claim 11, wherein transition is performed. The in-home device is
An upstream frame processing unit that performs transmission processing on a frame transmitted to the access network;
In the low power consumption mode determination step,
Determining whether the physical link with the user terminal has been disconnected and whether the physical link with the station apparatus connected via the access network has been disconnected;
When it is determined that the physical link with the user terminal has been disconnected, the first transmission unit, the second transmission unit, and the uplink frame processing unit are invalidated to transition to the low power consumption mode,
When it is determined that the physical link with the station device connected via the access network is disconnected, the user terminal interface, the second transmission unit, and the uplink frame processing unit are invalidated to The power consumption control method according to claim 11, wherein transition is made to a power consumption mode. The in-home device includes a plurality of ports for accommodating the one user terminal,
The port comprises the user terminal interface;
At least one VLAN can be set in the port,
The method
The in-home device selecting one VLAN corresponding to an identifier of a user terminal connected to the port, and transmitting a frame including the selected VLAN identifier from the second transmission unit;
When the in-home device receives a frame including the VLAN identifier from the second receiving unit, transmitting the frame to a port for which the VLAN specified by the VLAN identifier included in the frame is selected; Including
In the physical link disconnection determination step, it is determined whether or not the physical link between the user terminal and the port is disconnected,
The low power consumption mode processing step includes:
Invalidating the first transmission unit of the port where the physical link with the user terminal is disconnected when the physical link disconnection determination unit determines that the physical link with the user terminal is disconnected;
Transmitting the low power consumption mode control signal including a VLAN identifier that can be set to a port in which a physical link with the user terminal is disconnected;
When receiving the low power consumption mode control signal, invalidating the first transmission unit of the VLAN identifier port included in the received low power consumption mode control signal;
The step of disabling the second transmission unit provided in the access network interface when the first transmission unit of all ports provided in the device is invalidated. Power consumption control method.   The low power consumption mode processing step invalidates the first transmission unit of the port when the low power consumption mode control signal including identifiers of all VLANs that can be set in the port provided in the low power consumption mode is received. The power consumption control method according to claim 15, further comprising a step.   16. The power consumption control method according to claim 15, wherein the signal including the VLAN identifier uses an Ethernet frame with a VLAN tag. The low power consumption mode control signal and the low power consumption mode notification signal are ITU-T Recommendation Y. Use the Ethernet OAM VSM frame specified in 1731,
The monitoring signal is an ITU-T recommendation Y.E. The power consumption control method according to claim 11, wherein a CC frame of Ethernet OAM specified in 1731 is used.

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