JP2014072796A - Path connection management device, communication node device, path connection control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To implement on-demand type communication line service capable of providing a path in a short time.SOLUTION: In a communication network including a plurality of origination node devices to be a candidate for one origination node device to be path-connected to one reception node device, a path connection management device for performing connection control of a path from an origination node device to a reception node device comprises: acceptance means for receiving reservation information including end point information on one or a plurality of paths to be candidates to be connected and reservation time zones in which the respective paths can be connected; resource reservation means for reserving resources in the communication network, for each of the paths to be the candidates to be connected, in a reservation time zone corresponding to each of the paths on the basis of the reservation information; and path connection request means for transmitting a path connection request to an origination node device or reception node device corresponding to the path to be connected on the basis of a path connection instruction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for providing a communication service by setting a path, and particularly to an on-demand path connection that provides a path immediately in response to a real-time request from a user.

  There are various forms of line services provided to users by telecommunications carriers. A relatively common service is a service that always connects a predetermined ground. In addition to this, there is a service in the form of connecting an arbitrary ground at a time reserved in advance. Hereinafter, this is called a time reservation type communication line service.

  The time-reserved communication line service is a form in which the carrier secures communication resources (bandwidth, etc.) for the relay section between the time and the ground specified in advance by the user, and ensures end-to-end connectivity. It is a communication service that provides a path.

  On the other hand, there is a service for connecting an arbitrary ground to a real-time request from a user. This is called an on-demand communication line service. In the on-demand communication line service, the user designates the ground (connection point) to which he / she wants to connect at an arbitrary timing. The carrier provides the path in a way that responds immediately to the request. The user can also disconnect the connected path at an arbitrary timing and switch the connection between different grounds.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-079668

  Conventional on-demand communication line services have the following problems.

(1) It is difficult to provide a dedicated line path in a short time. Up to now, in the on-demand communication line service, a resource (bandwidth) including a network relay section is secured in response to a real-time request from a user. It was difficult to provide the service in a short time, and the provision of a pass as a dedicated line service could not be guaranteed. Actually, for example, it is not possible to provide a service for performing path connection in a short time (for example, guaranteeing connection within 1 second) after a user issues a request.

  The reason is that at the moment when a user issues a connection request, there is a possibility that another user's path is occupying the trunk line. This is because it may not be possible.

  One of the technical measures in that case is to prepare a central management system for the relay network separately, and check for resource contention in the relay section as soon as it receives a user request. It is conceivable to determine whether or not to provide, and if there is an unnecessary path, disconnect it or change the use route to make a resource available. However, this time, on the contrary, it takes additional processing time for the system to check for resource contention and to operate the nodes of the network. Things are rather difficult.

  As another countermeasure, in the communication technology in the city, there is a protocol (such as RSVP-TE protocol in the MPLS network) that dynamically secures the bandwidth of the relay section by call control (signaling) and uses it. There is a way. RSVP-TE can give priority to the path to be set, and if relay resources are insufficient (bandwidth is exhausted, etc.), a function called preemption that forcibly steals a low priority path on the node side There is. If a path requested as an on-demand communication service is signaled with high priority, even if another path occupies a relay resource when a request comes, it is possible to create a path even if it is pushed away. . However, the act of dynamically dropping another path by interrupting a new path in this way should be implemented as much as possible from the standpoint of the telecommunications carrier, considering the safety and stability of other telecommunications traffic that is physically shared. I often don't want to. In the first place, it is feasible only when the superiority or inferiority is given between the paths, and when all the lines are treated equally as priorities, or when it is necessary to always guarantee connectivity as a dedicated line service, There is a problem that cannot be used (because there is no pass that can be dropped).

(2) Relay resource use cannot be secured in advance and cannot coexist with time reservation type communication line service When using a time reservation type communication service, the telecommunications carrier must know the ground information and bandwidth used in advance. Is possible. Therefore, by managing the future communication resources consumed in the relay section in units of time and securing the exclusive use (= reservation) within that time, the problem of resource shortage can be prevented. Can do.

  On the other hand, in the case of an on-demand communication line service, since the determination of which ground to connect to is based on the user's real-time request contents, it is impossible to grasp and secure necessary resources in advance.

  If a path that connects all the grounds to a full mesh is created in advance, and relay resources are always secured exclusively, real-time requests can always be met, but such This method is an option that can be practically performed only when the bandwidth per path is very small compared to the total resources in the relay section or can be ignored. When the bandwidth per path increases, it is often difficult to accept due to the capacity of the communication equipment.

  As described above, in the conventional approach, it is not possible to secure resources for a future time in the on-demand communication line service. This means that it is not possible to coexist with a time reservation type communication line service in which it is essential to adjust resource reservation in advance.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to realize an on-demand communication line service that can provide a path in a short time.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a communication network including a plurality of transmission node devices that are candidates for one transmission node device that is path-connected to one reception node device. A path connection management device that controls connection of a path to a receiving node device,
Receiving means for receiving reservation information including end point information of one or more paths that are candidates for connection and a reservation time zone for each path that may be connected;
Based on the reservation information, resource reservation means for reserving resources on a communication network in a corresponding reservation time zone for each path that is a candidate to be connected;
A path connection management device comprising path connection request means for transmitting a path connection request to a transmission node device or a reception node device corresponding to a path to be connected based on a path connection instruction. Is done.

  The path connection management device includes resource information storage means for storing resource information for a future time in the communication network, and the resource reservation means includes resource information in the communication network including reserved resource information as the resource information. Stored in the storage means, the accepting means refers to the resource information storing means, confirms whether there is a path resource in the reservation time zone related to the reservation information, and determines whether to accept the reservation information You may comprise.

  The resource reservation means, for example, when reserving resources of a plurality of paths between a receiving node device and a plurality of transmitting node devices that are candidates for path connection to the receiving node device in the same time zone, Resources for one path are reserved between the node devices that are the paths of the plurality of paths in the communication network.

  Further, in a case where the originating node device that is path-connected to the one receiving node device and the originating node device that is path-connected to another receiving node device different from the one receiving node device, The resource reservation unit treats a path from the transmission node device to the plurality of reception node devices as a multicast path, and reserves a resource for one path between each node device that is a route of the multicast path. Good.

  Further, the number of source node devices and the number of receiving node devices that are path-connected in the communication network may be m: n (m and n are both integers of 1 or more).

Further, the present invention is a communication node device that is communicably connected to the path connection management device and functions as the reception node device or the transmission node device,
Reservation information storage means for storing reservation information received from the path connection management device;
Resource confirmation means for confirming whether or not the resources of the path reserved in the reservation time zone can be actually secured in the actual time corresponding to the reservation time zone in the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage means;
A path connection means for connecting the requested path when a path connection request is received from the path connection management apparatus can also be configured as a communication node apparatus.

  When the communication node device receives a path connection request from the path connection management device, the communication node device verifies the path connection request by comparing the path connection request with the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit. Path connection request confirmation means for determining the connection may be provided, and the path connection means may connect the requested path when it is determined that the path connection request is valid.

  The present invention may be a path connection control method executed by the path connection management device. Furthermore, the present invention configures a program for causing a computer to function as each unit in the path connection management apparatus, and a program for causing a communication apparatus including the computer to function as each unit in the communication node apparatus. You can also.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an on-demand type communication line service that can provide a path in a short time.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional lineblock diagram of path connection management device 10 concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the reservation resource information set to the reservation resource information storage part 16. FIG. It is a functional block diagram of the originating edge node apparatus (B-E) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the receiving edge node apparatus A which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the originating edge node apparatus (B-E) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation example of the communication system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating reservation of an on-demand operation period. It is a figure which shows the resource reservation content of 10:00 to 11:00 of the network relay area in an on-demand operation period. It is a figure which shows the resource reservation content of 9:00 to 10:00 of the network relay area in an on-demand operation period. It is a figure which shows the resource reservation content of 11:00 to 12:00 of the network relay area in an on-demand operation period. It is a figure for demonstrating the resource check process when the start (10:00) of an on-demand operation period comes. It is a figure which shows establishment of the actual path | pass in the case of receiving a connection request. It is a figure which shows establishment of the actual path | pass in the case of receiving a connection request. It is a figure for demonstrating the delivery form of a multicast.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is only an example, and the embodiment to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the following embodiment.

  For example, in the following description, it is assumed that an MPLS communication system is used as a communication system and RSVP-TE is used as a signaling protocol for LSP (path) generation in MPLS. -Applicable when using a signaling protocol other than TE. The present invention can also be applied to communication systems other than MPLS. In this embodiment, a video is given as an example of data to be transmitted. However, data to be transmitted is not limited to a video.

(Outline of the embodiment)
In the present embodiment, for a time period that the user wants to use as an on-demand communication line service, information on a ground candidate that may request connection and information on a time zone that may be connected between the ground are displayed. , Make sure to put it in advance. This is called reservation for an on-demand operation period.

  Then, resources are secured in the relay section of the telecommunications carrier network based on the reservation information for the input operation period. Specifically, the resources of the route connecting the ground candidates are secured in units of time when the reservation is made. Also, as a method for securing resources in the network relay section, instead of securing a maximum bandwidth of N ^ 2 paths for each link (N is the number of ground candidates), secure a bandwidth for one link. To. However, the path connection is not automatically performed just because the reservation period of the operation period has actually come. When entering the time period of this period, if a real-time connection request (or disconnection request) is received from the user, the request is accepted and the path is connected.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described more specifically.

(Whole system configuration)
FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system according to the present embodiment is connected to a communication network 20 including edge node devices A to E and relay node devices P1 to P3 so as to be communicable with each device of the communication network 20. Path connection management device 10. Each node device is connected by a transmission line. For example, user devices that transmit and receive data such as video are connected to the outside of each edge node device.

  The path connection management device 10 is communicably connected to the operation terminal 30, and based on a request from the operation terminal 30, an on-demand operation period reservation acceptance process described later, a path connection request transmission to the edge node device, and the like I do. Details of the path connection management device 10 will be described later.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the communication network is an IP / MPLS network. In the present embodiment, the edge node device A is an egress node device that receives data from any one of the other edge node devices B to E and transfers the data to the subordinate user device. It is assumed that B to E are Ingress node devices that transfer data received from subordinate user devices to the edge node device A (Egress node device).

  In practice, each edge node device has both the function of the Ingress node device and the function of the Egress node device. However, in this embodiment, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, each edge node device We focus on the functions corresponding to the data distribution form. Hereinafter, the edge node device of A is referred to as a receiving edge node device, and the other edge node devices are referred to as originating edge node devices.

  A signaling message is transmitted and received between the originating edge node device (B to E) and the receiving edge node device A, so that a path (more specifically, LSP) is set, disconnected, and the like. The originating edge node device (B to E) receives data from the user device on the data transmission side and transmits it to the set path, and the receiving edge node device A transmits the data received from the path to the user on the data reception side. Send to device. Each relay node device in the present embodiment is, for example, an LSR (Label Switched Router).

  In the present embodiment, the interface at the end point on the user device side of each edge node device is referred to as an end point port. In particular, the end point port of the originating edge node device that functions as an Ingress node device is called an input port, and the end point port of the receiving edge node device that functions as an Egress node device is called an output port. In FIG. 1, A-1 represents an output port, B-1 etc. represent an input port.

  In the present embodiment, by setting the end points (input port and output port) and performing signaling, it is possible to set an end-end path including the connection of the relay node device. In relay IP / MPLS networks, signaling packets are routed by OSPF, PCE, etc., or routed by explicit routing to provide connectivity between end points.

(Configuration of the path connection management device 10)
FIG. 2 shows a configuration diagram of the path connection management apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the path connection management device 10 includes an operation terminal IF unit 11, an acceptance determination unit 12, a reservation resource information setting unit 13, a request transmission unit 14, a reservation information storage unit 15, a reservation resource information storage unit 16, A network state information storage unit 17 and a resource confirmation unit 18 are included. Hereinafter, the function of each functional unit will be described. A specific example will be described later in the explanation of the operation.

  The operation terminal IF unit 11 is a functional unit that receives various requests from the operation terminal 30 and transmits various information to the operation terminal 30.

  The reception determination unit 12 refers to the reservation resource information storage unit 16 to determine whether or not the reservation information for the on-demand operation period received from the operation terminal 30 may be received. If the reception information is acceptable, the reservation information is reserved. The information is stored in the information storage unit 15 and the reservation information is transferred to the reservation resource information setting unit 13.

  The reservation resource information setting unit 13 sets resource allocation information (referred to as reservation resource information) for each hour during an on-demand operation period on the network based on the reservation information determined to be acceptable. The information is stored in the information storage unit 16.

  The reservation information in this embodiment includes input port identification information (sometimes simply referred to as “input port”), output port identification information (sometimes simply referred to as “output port”), and possibility of connection. The on-demand operation period, which is a certain period, includes the necessary bandwidth. If the required bandwidth is a predetermined value, the bandwidth may not be included in the reservation information.

  In the present embodiment, the route of the relay section of the path connecting from the input port to the output port (information about which relay node device is routed) is determined in advance, and the path connection management device 10 When the output port is given, the path of the path corresponding to these can be specified.

  The reservation resource information set in the reservation resource information storage unit 16 by the reservation resource information setting unit 13 is, for example, as shown in FIG. Contains bandwidth information. In the example of FIG. 3, for example, in the link from node 1 to node 2, a band of 1 (for example, 1 Gbps) is reserved in the time zone from 9 o'clock to 11 o'clock, indicating that 9 is free. Yes. The granularity of the time zone is appropriately set according to the granularity of the reservation time zone specified by the reservation information.

  In the present embodiment, there are a plurality of originating edge node devices and a single receiving edge node device, and therefore there are a plurality of reservation target paths during the on-demand operation period. However, the bandwidth allocated to each link on the path of each path by the reserved resource information setting unit 13 is a bandwidth for one path. This is because there is only one path (path from any one of the originating edge node devices to the receiving edge node device) during the on-demand operation period.

  The path connection management apparatus 10 accepts reservation information for the on-demand communication service according to the present invention and also accepts reservation information for the time reservation communication service. The reservation resource information in the reservation type communication service is also reflected.

  The reception determination unit 12 grasps the path of the path from the received reservation information and refers to the reservation resource information storage unit 16 to determine whether or not there is a free space for each link in the time slot to be reserved. Is checked, and it is determined that acceptance is possible when there is a vacancy. If there is insufficient space, a response to that effect is returned to the operation terminal 30.

  The request transmission unit 14 sets the reservation information determined to be acceptable by the reception determination unit 12 as the originating edge node device or the receiving edge node device of the path corresponding to the reservation information, or the originating edge node device and the receiving edge node device. Send to both. Further, the request transmission unit 14 transmits a path connection request received from the operation terminal 30 to the corresponding originating edge node device or receiving edge node device.

  The network state information storage unit 17 and the resource confirmation unit 18 may not be provided when the resource confirmation is performed on the edge node device side. When the network state information storage unit 17 and the resource confirmation unit 18 are provided, these have the following functions.

  The network state information storage unit 17 stores real-time resource states (band availability, node / link normality, etc.) in the communication network 20. Specifically, for example, information including a currently used band and an empty band is stored for each link. The path connection management device 10 includes means for keeping the information in the network state information storage unit 17 always up-to-date, and the network state information is always kept up-to-date by the means.

  The resource confirmation unit 18 refers to the reservation information, and refers to the network state information storage unit 17 at the timing when the reservation time of the on-demand operation period arrives, so that the resources in each section of the path of the path related to the reservation information are Check whether it actually exists (whether there is bandwidth, whether the node and link are normal, etc.). For example, if the start of the on-demand operation period for the path 1 with the bandwidth of 1 is 10:00, the resource confirmation unit 18 grasps the path of the path 1 at 10:00, and at each link on the path, 1 or more Check if there is free bandwidth. This confirmation may be performed not only at the beginning of the on-demand operation period, but also during the operation period (for example, at regular time intervals). Further, this confirmation may be performed when reservation registration is performed in the reception determination unit 12. As a result of the check, if a shortage occurs in the band or a failure is detected, the operation terminal 30 is notified to that effect through the operation terminal IF unit 11. On the operation terminal 30, it is displayed that a bandwidth shortage or a failure has occurred during the on-demand operation period.

  The path connection management apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can be realized by causing a computer to execute a program describing the processing contents described in the present embodiment. That is, the function of each unit of the path connection management device 10 corresponds to the processing performed by each unit using hardware resources such as a CPU, a memory, and a hard disk built in the computer constituting the path connection management device 10. This can be realized by executing a program to be executed. The above-mentioned program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (portable memory or the like), stored, or distributed. It is also possible to provide the program through a network such as the Internet or electronic mail.

(Configuration of edge node device)
The edge node device that is the starting point for sending a message for path connection in response to a path connection instruction from the path connection management device 10 may be the originating edge node device or the receiving edge node device. .

<When the connection origin is the originating edge node device>
FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the originating edge node device (Ingress node device) when the edge node device that is the starting point of message transmission for connection is the originating edge node device (B to E). The functional configuration of the originating edge node device (B to E) will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the configuration shown in FIG. 4 mainly shows functions on the Ingress side related to the present embodiment. An existing function (not shown) for performing a processing operation as an MPLS edge node device is also included.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the originating node device (B to E) includes a control interface unit 41, a reservation information storage unit 42, a path connection request confirmation unit 43, a resource confirmation unit 44, a path connection control unit 45, and data transfer control. Section 46, user data I / O interface section 47, and data transfer information storage section 48.

  The control interface unit 41 receives, from the path connection management device 10, reservation information for the on-demand operation period, a path connection request for actual path connection, and a path disconnection request for path disconnection. The reservation information is stored in the reservation information storage unit 42.

  The path connection request confirmation unit 43 checks whether or not the path connection request received from the path connection management device 10 matches the contents reserved in advance in the reservation information. For example, if the data is not matched, an error is returned to the path connection management device 10.

  For example, the reservation information received from the path connection management device 10 includes an ID for identifying the reservation information. The path connection request received from the path connection management device 10 also includes the same ID as the ID of the corresponding reservation information. In addition, the path connection request may include an input port, an output port, and a bandwidth, or may include an identifier of individual reservation information. When such an identifier is included in the path connection request, the path connection related to the reservation corresponding to the identifier is performed. The same applies to the path cutting. The path may be included in the path connection request, or the path may be specified on the originating edge node side. As described above, the reservation information includes an input port, an output port, an on-demand operation period (reservation period), and a bandwidth.

  The path connection request confirmation unit 43 identifies corresponding reservation information in the reservation information storage unit 42 based on the ID of the path connection request, and checks whether the path connection request matches the reservation information. For example, it is checked whether a combination of an input port, an output port, and a band related to a path connection request exists in the reservation information and whether the current time is within an operation period corresponding to the combination. Note that the ID may not be used. In this case, the path connection request confirmation unit 43 checks whether the combination of the input port, the output port, and the bandwidth related to the path connection request exists in the reservation information and whether the current time is within the operation period corresponding to the combination. To do. That is, the legitimacy of the path connection request is determined by collating the path connection request with the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 42. If the path connection request is valid, the path connection control unit 45 is instructed to connect to the path, and if it is not valid, the path connection management apparatus 10 is notified of this.

  The resource confirmation unit 44 refers to the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 42, and when the start time of the on-demand operation period described in the reservation information has arrived, the resource of the path related to the reservation information is actually Is present (whether there is a bandwidth, whether the node / link is normal, etc.). That is, whether or not communication is possible is checked. Specifically, for example, a resource is checked by transmitting a predetermined confirmation message on the path and confirming information included in the message returned from the receiving edge node device. This is only an example. For example, by holding reservation information also in the receiving edge node device, the originating edge node device sends a confirmation message to the receiving edge node device, and the receiving edge node device also sends a confirmation message to the originating edge node device, It is good also as confirming mutually.

  The resource check may be performed not only at the beginning of the on-demand operation period but also continuously (for example, at regular time intervals) during the operation period. As a result of the check, if a shortage occurs in the band or a failure is detected, the path connection management device 10 is notified of this. In this case, the path connection management device 10 notifies the operation terminal 30 that the bandwidth is insufficient. An example of a specific method for resource confirmation will be described later in the explanation of the operation.

  Even when the resource confirmation unit 44 performs resource confirmation on the path connection management device 10 side, it is necessary to perform resource management of the link interface in the device, and is also necessary for resolution at the time of resource contention due to preemption. So be prepared.

  Based on the path connection request whose consistency has been confirmed, the path connection control unit 45 sets a path by transmitting and receiving a signaling message based on, for example, RSVP-TE with the receiving edge node device. Based on the information stored in the data transfer information storage unit 48, the data transfer control unit 46 sends the data received from the user device side on the set path (that is, adds a label corresponding to the path). And send data). The user data I / O interface unit 47 corresponds to the input port described above, and has a function of receiving data from the user device and passing the received data to the data transfer control unit 46. The data transfer information storage unit 48 stores, for example, data destinations, label information of set paths, input interfaces, and output interfaces in association with each other.

  A general Egress node device can be used as the receiving edge node device when the edge node device that is the starting point of message transmission for connection is the originating edge node device (B to E). In addition, when the reservation information is also held in the receiving edge node device and resource confirmation is performed, the receiving edge node device also includes a reservation information storage unit and a resource confirmation unit.

<When the connection origin is the receiving edge node device>
FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the receiving edge node device (Egress node device) when the edge node device that is the starting point of message transmission for connection is the receiving edge node device A. The functional configuration of the receiving edge node device A will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the configuration shown in FIG. 5 mainly shows functions on the egress side related to the present embodiment. An existing function (not shown) for performing a processing operation as an MPLS edge node device is also included.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the receiving edge node device A includes a control interface unit 51, a reservation information storage unit 52, a path connection request confirmation unit 53, a resource confirmation unit 54, an on-demand control unit 55, a path connection control unit 56, A data transfer control unit 57, a user data I / O interface unit 58, and a data transfer information storage unit 59 are included.

  The control interface unit 51 receives, from the path connection management device 10, reservation information for the on-demand operation period, a path connection request for performing actual path connection, and a path disconnection request for performing path disconnection. The reservation information is stored in the reservation information storage unit 52.

  The path connection request confirmation unit 53 checks whether or not the path connection request received from the path connection management device 10 matches the contents reserved in advance in the reservation information. If the data is not matched, the error is returned to the path connection management device 10, for example. An example of the consistency check is the same as the example described above.

  The resource confirmation unit 54 refers to the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 52, and at the timing when the start time of the on-demand operation period described in the reservation information has arrived, the resource of the path related to the reservation information is actually Is present (whether there is a bandwidth, whether the node / link is normal, etc.). Specifically, for example, a resource is checked by transmitting a predetermined confirmation message on a path and confirming information included in a message returned from the originating edge node device. This is only an example. For example, by holding reservation information also in the originating edge node device, the receiving edge node device sends a confirmation message to the originating edge node device, and the originating edge node device also sends a confirmation message to the receiving edge node device, It is good also as confirming mutually.

  This confirmation may be performed not only at the beginning of the on-demand operation period, but also during the operation period (for example, at regular time intervals). As a result of the check, if a shortage occurs in the band or a failure is detected, the path connection management device 10 is notified of this. In this case, the path connection management device 10 notifies the operation terminal 30 that the bandwidth is insufficient.

  Even when the resource confirmation unit 54 performs resource confirmation on the path connection management device 10 side, it is necessary to manage the resources of the link interface in the device, and is also necessary to resolve the resource contention due to preemption. So be prepared.

  The on-demand control unit 55 generates a control message (connection request or the like) based on the path connection instruction whose consistency has been confirmed, and generates the control message as an outgoing edge having an input port specified by the path connection instruction. It has a function to transmit to the node device. The originating edge node device that has received this control message transmits a signaling message for path connection.

  The path connection control unit 56 sets a path by transmitting / receiving a signaling message based on, for example, RSVP-TE to / from an originating edge node device.

  The data transfer control unit 57 receives the data transmitted from the originating edge node device and transferred via the path, and receives the received data based on the data transfer information stored in the data transfer information storage unit 59 Is output to the user data I / O interface unit 58 connected to the user device. The user data I / O interface unit 58 corresponds to the above-described output port, and has a function of transferring data to the user device.

  The data transfer information storage unit 59 stores label information for identifying a set path in association with a transfer destination interface corresponding to the path.

  FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the originating edge node device (B to E) when the receiving edge node device A is the edge node device that is the starting point of message transmission for connection. As shown in FIG. 6, the originating edge node device (B to E) includes an on-demand control unit 61, a path connection control unit 62, a data transfer control unit 63, a user data I / O interface unit 64, and data transfer information storage. Part 65. The functional unit shown in FIG. 6 shows only the functions related to the present embodiment among all the functions including the existing technology necessary for realizing the MPLS communication node.

  The on-demand control unit 61 has a function of instructing the path connection control unit 62 to generate and transmit a signaling message based on the control message received from the receiving edge node device A.

  Based on the instruction from the on-demand control unit 61, the path connection control unit 62 sets a path by transmitting / receiving a signaling message based on, for example, RSVP-TE to / from the receiving edge node device. Based on the information stored in the data transfer information storage unit 65, the data transfer control unit 63 sends the data received from the user device side on the set path (that is, adds a label corresponding to the path). And send data). The user data I / O interface unit 64 corresponds to the above-described input port, and has a function of receiving data from the user device and passing the received data to the data transfer control unit 63. The data transfer information storage unit 65 stores, for example, data destinations, label information of set paths, input interfaces, and output interfaces in association with each other.

  When the reservation information is also held in the originating edge node device and resource confirmation or the like is performed, the originating edge node device also includes a reservation information storage unit and a resource confirmation unit.

  Each edge node device according to the present embodiment can be realized by causing a communication device such as a router including the functions of a computer (memory, CPU) to execute a program corresponding to the processing described in the present embodiment. . The program may be stored in a storage medium such as a portable memory, distributed, installed in the communication device, or downloaded from a server on the network and installed in the communication device. Further, the processing described in the present embodiment may be realized as a hardware circuit, and the hardware circuit may be provided in the communication device.

(System operation example)
Hereinafter, an operation example of the communication system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the names of the functional units shown in the configuration diagrams of FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6 are appropriately used.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, reservation information is input to the operation terminal 30, and the input reservation information is transmitted to the path connection management device 10. As shown in the figure, the reservation information includes information on an input port, an output port, a reservation time zone, and a bandwidth. In this example, the bandwidth of all paths is 1 Gbps. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the reservation information with time as a horizontal axis. The display format as shown in this figure can be used as a reservation interface screen displayed on the operation terminal 30, for example. In FIG. 8, for example, in the time zone from 9 o'clock to 10 o'clock, it is shown that the reservation for the on-demand operation period is made for the path B-1 → A-1 and the path C-1 → A-1. Yes.

  In FIG. 7, the reception determination unit 12 of the path connection management apparatus 10 that has received the reservation information refers to the reservation resource information storage unit 16 to determine whether the reservation information can be received. In this example, it is determined that acceptance is possible, and the reservation information is stored in the reservation information storage unit 15 and is also passed to the reservation resource information setting unit 13.

  The reservation resource information setting unit 13 makes a resource reservation based on the reservation information. That is, the resource allocation state information (reserved resource information) for each hour of the on-demand operation period on the network is stored in the reserved resource information storage unit 16 (eg, FIG. 2).

  In addition, the reservation information determined to be acceptable is transmitted from the request transmission unit 14 of the path connection management device 10 to the originating edge node device or the receiving edge node device of the path related to the reservation, or the originating edge node device and the receiving edge node. It is transmitted to both of the devices and stored in the edge node device.

  FIG. 9 shows the contents of the resource reservation from 10:00 to 11:00 in this example. The content shown in FIG. 9 does not indicate that the bandwidth is actually secured on the communication network, but shows the resource allocation state information stored in the reserved resource information storage unit 16 expanded on the communication network. It is a thing.

  As shown in FIG. 9, from 10 o'clock to 11 o'clock, four paths B-1 → A-1, C-1 → A-1, D-1 → A-1, E-1 → A-1 An on-demand operation reservation is made as a possibility of being connected. Accordingly, 1 Gbps is allocated as a reserved bandwidth to each link serving as a path of these paths. In this example, for example, the link of P1 → A is a route common to four paths, but since only one path is actually connected in the time zone, one band is allocated. . However, if the bandwidth differs between paths that can be connected in the same time zone, the bandwidth of the maximum bandwidth is allocated.

  That is, the reservation resource information setting unit 13 reserves resources of a plurality of paths between a receiving edge node device and a plurality of originating edge node devices that are candidates for path connection to the receiving edge node device in the same time zone. In this case, a resource for one path is reserved between the respective node apparatuses that are routes of the plurality of paths in the communication network 20.

  Similarly to FIG. 9, the contents of resource reservation at 9 o'clock to 11 o'clock and 11 o'clock to 12 o'clock are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively.

  FIG. 12 shows the concept of processing operation for resource confirmation (check for communication availability) when the start time 10:00 of the on-demand operation period 10:00 to 11:00 arrives. For example, when resource confirmation is performed with the originating edge node device as the starting point, each of the originating edge node devices in the path of the on-demand operation period 10: 0 to 11:00 receives a message for resource confirmation. Confirm the resource by sending to. That is, it is confirmed whether or not the resources of the path reserved in the reservation time zone can actually be secured. Further, when resource confirmation is performed with the receiving edge node device A as a starting point, resource confirmation is performed by transmitting a message to each of the originating edge node devices in the path of the on-demand operation period 10: 00 to 11:00. Do. When performing resource confirmation by transmitting messages to each other, each edge node device in the path of the on-demand operation period 10: 0 to 11:00 performs resource confirmation by transmitting a message to the opposite edge node device. When resource confirmation is performed by transmitting messages to each other, for example, by confirming information described in the received resource confirmation message, it is confirmed whether there is a resource or whether there is a failure.

  More specifically, the following method A and method B can be used as an example of a method for checking whether communication is possible.

  Method A: A method of checking whether or not communication is possible using a signaling protocol (RSVP-TE) (= method of using a signaling protocol when actually making a path connection request).

  In Method A, a path is created in a dummy manner. Although RSVP-TE signaling is actually performed, but the bandwidth reservation value on the signaling is set to zero, this communication availability check itself does not consume actual NW resources. In the case of MPLS, when signaling is performed at 0 bps, the relay node does not reserve a bandwidth and checks only the communication, so this method A is an effective method as a communication availability check method that does not consume bandwidth.

  Method B: A method for checking whether or not communication is possible in a different communication session, not a signaling protocol for establishing a path.

  In Method B, processing such as exchanging communication packets between edge nodes is performed. In Method B, since the signaling protocol for path connection is not performed, it is confirmed that the edge node and the port are alive. The actual state of this communication session is not limited to a specific one, and any communication session may be used. For example, protocol communication completely different from RSVP (HTTP, BGP, etc.) may be established between the nodes, or a type of RSVP message that does not make a path connection may be used.

  In addition, as described above, the check frequency of communication availability may be checked at the beginning of the on-demand operation period, or continuously (for example, repeated at regular intervals) during the on-demand operation period. It is good as well.

  Next, an example of operation when a path connection request is actually issued will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 show a case where the starting point of the path connection is the originating edge node device.

  FIG. 13 shows a case where a path connection request of E-1 → A-1 is issued from the operation terminal 30. In this case, the path connection management device 10 that has received the path connection request transmits the path connection request to the originating edge node device E. In the originating edge node device E, the path connection request confirmation unit 43 refers to the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 42 and the current time, and E-1 in a period including the current time (for example, 11:30) → The validity of the path connection request is confirmed by confirming whether the reservation of the path of A-1 is included in the reservation information. If the validity of the path connection request can be confirmed, E-1 → A-1 Instruct the path connection. That is, it instructs the execution of signaling. Thereafter, a signaling message is transmitted / received, and a path of E-1 → A-1 is established as shown in FIG. 13, and data is transferred. When the path connection management apparatus 10 receives the path connection request, the validity of the path connection request is confirmed based on the reservation information and the current time as described above. May be transmitted to the originating edge node device E.

  FIG. 14 shows a case where a path connection request of B-1 → A-1 is issued from the operation terminal 30. In this case, the path connection management device 10 that has received the path connection request transmits the path connection request to the originating node device B. In the originating edge node device B, the path connection request confirmation unit 43 refers to the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit 42 and the current time, and B-1 in a period including the current time (for example, 11:30) → The validity of the path connection request is confirmed by confirming whether the reservation of the path of A-1 is included in the reservation information. If the validity of the path connection request can be confirmed, the path connection control unit 45 receives B-1 → A-1 Instruct the path connection. Thereafter, the signaling message is transmitted / received, and a path of B-1 → A-1 is established as shown in FIG. 14, and data is transferred.

  As described above, for B-1 → A-1 and E-1 → A-1, the bandwidth of the path is guaranteed in the reservation period including 11:30. : 11:30), a path connection request can be made in real time.

  13 and 14 show the case where the starting point of path connection is the originating edge node device, but the basic operation is the same when the starting point of path connection is the receiving edge node device. When the origin of path connection is the receiving edge node device, the receiving edge node device receives the path connection request, confirms the validity, and if OK, sends a connection request control message to the corresponding originating edge node device. The originating edge node device that has received the control message constructs a path by transmitting a signaling message for path connection to the receiving edge node device.

Note that the path can be deleted (disconnected) in the same manner as in the case of the above path connection. That is, a path deletion request specifying an end point is issued from the operation terminal 30, and the path deletion request is sent from the path connection management device 10 to the corresponding originating edge node device or receiving edge node device that is the starting point in the same manner as in the case of connection. The message is transmitted to the opposite edge node device from the originating edge node device or the receiving edge node device, so that the path can be deleted (disconnected).
Alternatively, the path connection request may be transmitted directly from the operation terminal 30 to the originating / receiving edge node device without going through the path connection management device 10. In this case, devices including the path connection management device 10 and the operation terminal 30 may be collectively referred to as the path connection management device 10.

(Other examples)
In the examples described so far, there are a plurality of calling sides and one receiving side. However, even when there are a plurality of receiving sides (that is, in the case of multicast), the reservation method for the on-demand operation period according to the present embodiment Can be applied. FIG. 15 shows an example of multicast.

  The communication network 20 shown in FIG. 15 has a configuration in which AA that is a receiving edge node device is added to the examples so far. In this configuration, for example, a path D-1 → A-1, a path D-1 → AA-1, and a path C-1 → A-1 are reserved in a certain on-demand operation period. To do. All of the bands are 1 Gbps.

  In this case, the path of D-1 → A-1 and the path of D-1 → AA-1 constitute a multicast path, and these can actually be connected simultaneously during the on-demand operation period. In multicast, the relay node device connecting the leaves performs an operation of copying data and distributing the data to each leaf. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, P2 → P1 which is a route common to these paths. The reserved bandwidth of the link may be 1 Gbps as in the previous examples. In other words, the D-1 → A-1 path and the D-1 → AA-1 path are set as one multicast path, and a bandwidth can be reserved in the same manner as in the case of one path in the above examples. .

  That is, a path is provided to a source edge node device (eg, D) that is path-connected to one receiving edge node device (eg, A) and another receiving edge node device AA that is different from the one receiving edge node device A. When the connected originating edge node device (D) is the same, the reserved resource information setting unit 13 multicasts the paths from the originating edge node device (D) to the receiving edge node devices A and AA. It treats as a path, and reserves a resource for one path between each node device that becomes the route of the multicast path.

  FIG. 15 shows an example in which the number of multicast leaves is two, but the number of leaves is not limited to two, and the on-demand operation in which the source edge node: receiving edge node is m: n ( Connection) can be realized. Here, m is an arbitrary integer of 1 or more, and n is an arbitrary integer of 1 or more. Multiple receiving edge nodes can select any outgoing port independently. If (sponsibly) the same outgoing port is selected, it becomes grafting (multicast line), and then one receiving node If you select another port, pruning will be executed. In this way, n receiving edge nodes independently select the originating edge node (origin port) as Leaf.

(Summary of the embodiment, effects, etc.)
As described above, in the present embodiment, the user inputs information in advance in the form of reserving a time zone that may be used for the connection between each connection-to-ground candidate, Reserve bandwidth between connected ground candidates. As a result, the on-demand communication service and the time reservation communication service can coexist.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the relay bandwidth between candidates for which reservation is requested is secured by the bandwidth for one path. That is, since the actually connected path is a communication path for one line, it is sufficient to secure a band for one path in the relay section. As a result, it is not necessary to wastefully secure relay resources.

  Also, in this embodiment, by checking whether the communication resources in the relay section really exist at the timing when the on-demand operation period actually starts, the contents reserved in advance and the actual at that time Consistency with the resource status can be confirmed. As a result, for example, even if a situation occurs in which a node unexpectedly fails after a reservation is entered, it is possible to grasp whether a path that is actually guaranteed on demand is actually established.

  In the conventional approach, an error is encountered only when the user really requests connection, but in the present embodiment, this is prevented by the above confirmation. Therefore, there is an effect that it is easy to guarantee path connection in a short time from the connection request. Also, from the standpoint of a telecommunications carrier, there is an effect that it is easy to take actions (communication recovery measures, etc.) in the event of a problem.

  Also, in this embodiment, the real-time connection request issued by the user is finally checked on the edge node side to see whether it corresponds to the contents reserved in advance correctly, and only the correct request is accepted and the path connection is made. Unfair demands are to be guarded. Thereby, it is possible to confirm the consistency between the contents reserved in advance and the connection request at that time.

  In this embodiment, since resources are secured in advance, it is guaranteed that the resources in the relay section are handled exclusively with other services within the designated reservation time. Therefore, it is not necessary to search for free resources every time a user requests connection, and a communication path can be provided at high speed.

  If not reserved in advance, there may be no free resources at that moment. Such a request needs to be played so as not to be connected in the first place, but in this embodiment, it is realized by the above check.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a service that requires a path connection within one second after a user issues a connection / disconnection request while securing a bandwidth.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the claims.

A receiving edge node device B to E originating edge node device P1 to P3 relay node device 10 path connection management device 20 communication network 30 operation terminal 11 operation terminal IF unit 12 acceptance determination unit 13 reservation resource information setting unit 14 request transmission unit 15 reservation Information storage unit 16 Reserved resource information storage unit 17 Network state information storage unit 18 Resource confirmation unit 41 Control interface unit 42 Reservation information storage unit 43 Path connection request confirmation unit 44 Resource confirmation unit 45 Path connection control unit 46 Data transfer control unit 47 User data I / O interface section 48 Data transfer information storage section 51 Control interface section 52 Reservation information storage section 53 Path connection request confirmation section 54 Resource confirmation section 55 On-demand control section 56 Path connection control section 57 Data transfer control section 58 User data I / O interface section 59 Data transfer information storage unit 61 On-demand control unit 62 Path connection control unit 63 Data transfer control unit 64 User data I / O interface unit 65 Data transfer information storage unit

Claims (10)

Path connection for performing path connection control from a source node device to a receiver node device in a communication network including a plurality of source node devices that are candidates for a source node device to be path-connected to one receiver node device A management device,
Receiving means for receiving reservation information including end point information of one or more paths that are candidates for connection and a reservation time zone for each path that may be connected;
Based on the reservation information, resource reservation means for reserving resources on a communication network in a corresponding reservation time zone for each path that is a candidate to be connected;
A path connection management device comprising path connection request means for transmitting a path connection request to a transmission node device or a reception node device corresponding to a path to be connected based on a path connection instruction. The path connection management device includes resource information storage means for storing resource information of a future time in the communication network,
The resource reservation means stores resource information in the communication network including reserved resource information in the resource information storage means,
The accepting means refers to the resource information storage means, confirms whether or not there is a path resource in the reservation time zone related to the reservation information, and determines whether or not to accept the reservation information. The path connection management device according to claim 1. The resource reservation unit is configured to reserve the resources of a plurality of paths between a receiving node device and a plurality of transmitting node devices that are candidates for path connection to the receiving node device in the same time zone. The path connection management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a resource for one path is reserved between each node device that becomes a route of the plurality of paths in the network. The resource reservation in the case where the originating node device path-connected to the one receiving node device and the originating node device path-connected to another receiving node device different from the one receiving node device are the same The means treats a path from the transmission node device to the plurality of reception node devices as a multicast path, and reserves a resource for one path between each node device serving as a route of the multicast path. Item 4. The path connection management device according to any one of Items 1 to 3. 5. The path connection according to claim 4, wherein the number of transmission node devices and the number of reception node devices that are path-connected in the communication network are m: n (m and n are integers of 1 or more). Management device. A communication node device that is communicably connected to the path connection management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and functions as the reception node device or the transmission node device,
Reservation information storage means for storing reservation information received from the path connection management device;
Resource confirmation means for confirming whether or not the resources of the path reserved in the reservation time zone can be actually secured in the actual time corresponding to the reservation time zone in the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage means;
A communication node device comprising: path connection means for connecting a requested path when a path connection request is received from the path connection management device. When a path connection request is received from the path connection management device, a path connection for determining the validity of the path connection request by comparing the path connection request with the reservation information stored in the reservation information storage unit Equipped with request confirmation means,
The communication node apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the path connection unit connects the requested path when it is determined that the path connection request is valid. Path connection for performing path connection control from a source node device to a receiver node device in a communication network including a plurality of source node devices that are candidates for a source node device to be path-connected to one receiver node device A path connection control method executed by a management device,
An accepting step of receiving reservation information including end point information of one or more paths that are candidates for connection and a reservation time zone that may be connected for each path;
A resource reservation step of reserving resources on a communication network in a corresponding reservation time zone for each candidate path to be connected based on the reservation information;
A path connection control method comprising: a path connection request step for transmitting a path connection request to a transmission node apparatus or a reception node apparatus corresponding to a path to be connected based on a path connection instruction.   The program for functioning a computer as each means in the path | pass connection management apparatus of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4.   The program for functioning a communication apparatus provided with a computer as each means in the communication node apparatus of Claim 6 or 7.

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