JP2016208173A - System, device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system, a device and a program which controls communication quality according to a communication condition performed between devices.SOLUTION: A radio communication system 1 includes terminals 100-300, an access point 400, an open flow controller 500, a router 520 and an open flow switches 150-450. Each of the open flow switches 150, 250 and 350 includes: transmission condition notification means for measuring a data transmission condition performed through a network, to notify the open flow controller 500 of the measurement result; and storage means for storing a flow table in which data transmission priority is stored. The open flow controller includes: communication quality analysis means for analyzing the communication quality of data transmission on the basis of the comparison of data transmission conditions received from each open flow switch; and priority set means for determining the priority of the data transmission on the basis of the analyzed communication quality, and for setting priority to the flow table.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a system, an apparatus, and a program.

  There is a technique for guaranteeing the quality of communication of specific data by using QoS (Quality of Service) control when content or the like having a large data capacity and requiring real-time performance is transmitted by a wireless local area network (LAN).

  Such a technique may be used, for example, in a network that uses OpenFlow. OpenFlow is one of the technologies for realizing SDN (Software Defined Network) that changes the configuration and functions of network devices by software operation. In OpenFlow, the OpenFlow controller stores the transmission rule in each OpenFlow switch, so that data transmission in each network device connected to the OpenFlow switch is controlled.

  For example, the QoS control is performed by determining the QoS category set in the packet header based on the analysis of the header or payload of the packet transferred by the repeater in the network to the other device and the analysis of the arrival rate or the transmission rate of the packet. The method of performing is known (for example, patent document 1).

  However, in the conventional technology, the communication quality is not sufficiently controlled according to the state of communication performed between devices that transmit and receive data.

  Also, in a wireless LAN environment, the number and types of sessions sharing the same access point continue to fluctuate, and the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN continues to fluctuate so that the communication quality of the entire wireless LAN does not deteriorate. The user had to manually set or change the priority of each communication.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, an object is to appropriately control the communication quality according to the state of communication performed between devices that transmit and receive data without causing the user to set or change the communication priority. To do.

  In one proposal, data between a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device that constitute a network for data transmission, and between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device. In the system having a control device for controlling transmission, each of the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device measures a data transmission situation performed via the network, and the measurement result is sent to the control device. And a storage unit for storing a flow table in which the priority of the data transmission is set, and the control device includes the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device. Communication quality analysis means for analyzing the communication quality of the data transmission based on the comparison of the data transmission status received from each of the above, based on the analyzed communication quality, To determine the priority for over data transmission, the system characterized by having a a priority setting means for setting the priority of the data transmitted to the flow table is provided.

  According to one aspect, communication quality can be more appropriately controlled according to the status of communication performed between devices that transmit and receive data.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of a radio | wireless communications system. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an open flow switch. It is a figure which shows the example of the 1st data structure of a terminal side flow table. It is a figure which shows the example of the 2nd data structure of a terminal side flow table. It is a figure which shows the example of the 3rd data structure of a terminal side flow table. It is a figure which shows the example of the 4th data structure of a terminal side flow table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a 2nd open flow switch. It is a figure which shows the example of the 1st data structure of the access point side flow table. It is a figure which shows the example of the 2nd data structure of the access point side flow table. It is a figure which shows the example of the 3rd data structure of the access point side flow table. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an OpenFlow controller. It is a figure which shows the example of the data structure of the IP header part of a packet. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing sequence according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing flow of an open flow switch. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of a terminal. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of an access point.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has substantially the same function structure, the duplicate description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

[First Embodiment]
(Configuration of wireless communication system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system 1. The wireless communication system 1 includes a terminal 100, a terminal 200, a terminal 300, an access point 400, an open flow controller 500, and a router 520. The terminal 100, the terminal 200, the terminal 300, and the access point 400 include an open flow switch 150, an open flow switch 250, an open flow switch 350, and an open flow switch 450, respectively. Detailed processing of each OpenFlow switch will be described later.

  The OpenFlow switch 450, the OpenFlow controller 500, and the router 520 are connected via the bus 510. The router 520 relays communication to the Internet 5.

  The OpenFlow switch 150, the OpenFlow switch 250, and the OpenFlow switch 350 are connected to the access point 400 via a wireless LAN. The access point 400 transfers the packet received from the OpenFlow switch 150, the OpenFlow switch 250, and the OpenFlow switch 350 to the router 520 via the OpenFlow switch 450.

  The OpenFlow controller 500 includes each OpenFlow switch based on the communication quality analyzed by the difference in the statistical information of the communication received from the OpenFlow switch 150, the OpenFlow switch 250, the OpenFlow switch 350, and the OpenFlow switch 450. The priority of communication with the access point 400 is set and transmitted to each OpenFlow switch.

  The OpenFlow switch 150, the OpenFlow switch 250, and the OpenFlow switch 350 transmit a packet to the access point 400 with communication quality corresponding to the notified communication priority.

  For example, when a relatively high priority is set for communication between the terminal 100 and the access point 400, high-quality communication is performed between the terminal 100 and the access point 400. On the other hand, when a relatively low priority is set for communication between the terminal 200 and the access point 400, communication is performed between the terminal 200 and the access point 400 at best effort.

(Configuration of terminal side open flow switch)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the open flow switch 150. The OpenFlow switch 150 includes a wireless LAN I / F (Interface) 151, a communication I / F 152, a packet processing unit 160, a flow table update unit 161, a statistical information update unit 162, and a flow table 170. Note that the OpenFlow switch 250 and the OpenFlow switch 350 may have the same configuration as the OpenFlow switch 150. The wireless LAN I / F 151 is an interface that manages communication with the wireless LAN. The communication I / F 152 is an interface that manages communication with the terminal 100.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of a first data structure of the terminal-side flow table. The flow table 170a is a table that holds processing performed on each packet. The flow table 170a associates a protocol, a transmission source IP address, a transmission source port, a destination IP address, a destination TCP / IP port, an execution action, and a transmission packet amount (MB). Hereinafter, each record of the flow table 170a is referred to as a flow entry.

  The protocol is a communication protocol used when transmitting a packet. For example, when “TCP” is stored, the terminal 100 indicates that the packet is transmitted using TCP / IP. In the example of FIG. 3A, TCP is stored in the protocol of each flow entry, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, UDP may be stored in the protocol of the flow entry.

  The transmission source IP address indicates the IP address of the packet transmission source device. The transmission source port indicates a connection port number of the terminal 100 to which the packet is transmitted. The destination IP address indicates the IP address of the device to which the packet is transmitted. The destination TCP / IP port indicates a port number of a transmission destination device that outputs a packet. For example, the port number related to the destination TCP / IP port is specified by the service that sent the packet.

  The execution action indicates the processing contents to be performed on a packet that matches the respective conditions such as the protocol of the flow table 170a, the transmission source IP address, the transmission source port, the destination IP address, and the destination TCP / IP port. Hereinafter, conditions such as a protocol, a transmission source IP address, a transmission source port, a destination IP address, and a destination TCP / IP port are referred to as a flow entry condition. For example, the priority Precedence is changed to “4” for a packet that matches the condition of the flow entry in the first row in FIG. 3A. The execution action is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3A, and may include, for example, processing such as changing the destination IP address.

  The transmission packet amount (MB) indicates the total capacity of transmission packets that match the flow entry conditions. For example, FIG. 3A shows that the total capacity of transmission packets that match the condition of the flow entry in the first row is 15 MB. It also indicates that the total capacity of transmission packets that match the conditions of the flow entry in the second row is 26 MB.

  The flow entry conditions are not limited to those shown in FIG. 3A, and may include, for example, a transmission source MAC address and a destination MAC address. Further, the data structure of the flow table 170 shown in FIG. 3A is an example, and the storage format is not limited to the above as long as the items are similarly associated with each other. The same applies to the flow table 470 shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C.

  Returning to FIG. The packet processing unit 160 processes the packet transmitted from the terminal 100. Specifically, the packet processing unit 160 receives a packet transmitted from the terminal 100 to the OpenFlow switch 150 via the communication I / F 152. Subsequently, the packet processing unit 160 compares the IP header part of the received packet with the condition of the flow entry in the flow table 170a. When the packet matches the condition of the flow entry, the packet processing unit 160 transmits the packet after executing the execution action corresponding to the flow entry on the packet. On the other hand, when the packet does not match the condition of any flow entry, the packet processing unit 160 generates a packet that stores a message related to a processing method inquiry, and transmits the packet to the OpenFlow controller 500.

  The flow table update unit 161 receives a temporary flow entry from the OpenFlow controller 500 that has received a message regarding an inquiry about a processing method. The flow table update unit 161 stores the received temporary flow entry as a new flow entry in the flow table 170a.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of a second data structure of the terminal-side flow table. The flow table 170b stores a new flow entry on the third line as a temporary flow entry. The temporary flow entry is a new flow entry stored when the terminal 100 transmits a packet to the server C. In the temporary flow entry, the execution action is not specified, and the transmission packet amount (MB) is “0”.

  Returning to FIG. The packet processing unit 160 processes the packet based on the temporary flow entry stored in the flow table 170b, and transmits the packet via the wireless LAN I / F 151. Note that since no priority or the like is set in the TOS (Type of Service) field of the IP header portion of the packet, QoS control is not performed on the packet within the wireless LAN.

  In addition, the packet processing unit 160 marks some packets and transmits the marking packets to the OpenFlow switch 450. Hereinafter, the marked packet is referred to as a marking packet. For example, the packet processing unit 160 may generate a marking packet by rewriting unused bits in the IP header part. The packet processing unit 160 may generate a marking packet using an error detection bit string used in FCS (Frame Check Sequence). The marking packet generation method is not limited to the above method.

  The packet processing unit 160 acquires the time when the marking packet passed through the OpenFlow switch 150 and transmits it to the OpenFlow controller 500. Note that the wireless LAN I / F 151 may acquire the time when the wireless LAN I / F 151 passes through its own device and transmit it to the OpenFlow controller 500.

  The statistical information update unit 162 stores the total capacity of packets transmitted to the outside for each flow entry in the flow table. Specifically, the statistical information update unit 162 acquires the capacity of the packet every time a packet related to the temporary flow entry is transmitted to the outside, and adds it to the transmission packet amount (MB) of the temporary flow entry. Update the flow table. Note that the statistical information update unit 162 appropriately updates the transmission packet amount (MB) of packets corresponding to flow entries other than temporary flow entries.

  The statistical information update unit 162 acquires, from the flow table 170, the total capacity of the packets related to the transmitted temporary flow entry after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of transmission of the packets related to the temporary flow entry. Then, the statistical information update unit 162 transmits the total capacity of the packets related to the transmitted temporary flow entry to the open flow controller 500.

  FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating an example of a third data structure of the terminal-side flow table. According to the flow table 170c, the transmission packet amount (MB) related to the temporary flow entry in the third row is updated to 5 (MB). The statistical information update unit 162 acquires the transmission packet amount 5 (MB) related to the temporary flow entry as statistical information and transmits it to the OpenFlow controller 500.

(Configuration of OpenFlow switch on the access point side)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the second OpenFlow switch. The open flow switch 450 is installed on the access point 400 side. The open flow switch 450 includes a communication I / F 451, a packet processing unit 460, a flow table update unit 461, a statistical information update unit 462, and a flow table 470.

  The packet processing unit 460 processes the packet received from the access point 400. Specifically, the packet processing unit 460 receives a packet transmitted from the terminal 100. Subsequently, the packet processing unit 460 compares the IP header portion of the received packet with the flow entry condition of the flow table 470. Since the packet does not match the conditions of any flow entry, the packet processing unit 460 generates a packet that stores a message related to a processing method inquiry, and transmits the packet to the OpenFlow controller 500.

  The flow table update unit 461 receives a temporary flow entry from the OpenFlow controller 500 that has received a message regarding a processing method inquiry. The flow table update unit 461 stores the received temporary flow entry as a new flow entry in the flow table 470.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of a first data structure of the access point side flow table. The data structure of the flow table 470a corresponds to the flow table 170b of FIG. 3B. In the flow table 470a, a new flow entry is newly stored in the third row as a temporary flow entry. The flow entry corresponds to the new flow entry stored in the third row of the flow table 170b in FIG. 3B. In the flow entry, the execution action is not specified, and the transmission packet amount (MB) is “0”.

  Returning to FIG. The packet processing unit 460 processes the packet based on the temporary flow entry stored in the flow table 470a and transmits the packet to the router 520. Since no value is set in the TOS field of the IP header portion of the packet, QoS control is not performed on the packet in the wireless LAN.

  The packet processing unit 460 acquires the time when the marking packet transmitted from the OpenFlow switch 150 has passed through the OpenFlow switch 450 and transmits it to the OpenFlow controller 500. Note that the access point 400 may acquire the time when it passes through its own device and transmit it to the OpenFlow controller 500.

  The statistical information update unit 462 stores the total capacity of transmitted packets in the flow table for each flow entry. Specifically, the statistical information update unit 462 acquires the capacity of the packet every time the packet related to the temporary flow entry is transmitted to the outside, and sets the transmission packet amount (MB) of the temporary flow entry in FIG. 5A. The flow table is updated by adding. Note that the statistical information update unit 462 appropriately updates the transmission packet amount (MB) of packets corresponding to flow entries other than the temporary flow entry.

  The statistical information update unit 462 acquires, from the flow table 470, the total capacity of the packets related to the transmitted temporary flow entry after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of transmission of the packets related to the temporary flow entry. Then, the statistical information update unit 462 transmits the total capacity of the packets related to the transmitted temporary flow entry to the open flow controller 500.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of a second data structure of the access point side flow table. According to the flow table 470b, the transmission packet amount (MB) related to the temporary flow entry in the third row is updated to 4.5 (MB). The statistical information update unit 462 acquires the transmission packet amount 4.5 (MB) related to the temporary flow entry as statistical information and transmits it to the OpenFlow controller 500.

(Configuration of OpenFlow controller)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the OpenFlow controller 500. The OpenFlow controller 500 includes a communication I / F 501, a switch control unit 511, a communication quality analysis unit 512, a priority setting unit 513, and a flow table management unit 514. The communication I / F 501 is a communication interface that manages communication with each device connected via the bus 510.

  The switch control unit 511 controls each open flow switch. For example, the switch control unit 511 controls the transmission route of the transmission packet amount (MB) related to the temporary flow entries counted by the open flow switch 150 on the terminal side.

  The communication quality analysis unit 512 analyzes the communication quality based on a comparison between the statistical information transmitted from the open flow switch 150 on the terminal 100 side and the statistical information transmitted from the open flow switch 450 on the access point 400 side. For example, the communication quality analysis unit 512 analyzes the packet loss rate and the marking packet delay time between the OpenFlow switch 150 and the OpenFlow switch 450 as the communication quality.

  Specifically, the communication quality analysis unit 512 determines the transmission packet amount (MB) transmitted from the open flow switch 450 on the access point 400 side from the transmission packet amount (MB) transmitted from the open flow switch 150 on the terminal 100 side. ) Is subtracted to calculate the lost packet amount (MB). Subsequently, the communication quality analysis unit 512 determines the packet loss rate (%) based on the ratio between the lost packet amount (MB) and the transmission packet amount (MB) transmitted from the OpenFlow switch 150 on the terminal 100 side. Is calculated.

  For example, the communication quality analysis unit 512 subtracts the transmission packet amount 4.5 (MB) transmitted from the OpenFlow switch 450 from the transmission packet amount 5 (MB) transmitted from the OpenFlow switch 150, and lost packets. A quantity of 0.5 (MB) is calculated. Subsequently, the communication quality analysis unit 512 calculates a packet loss rate of 10% based on the ratio between the lost packet amount 0.5 (MB) and the transmission packet amount 5 (MB) transmitted from the OpenFlow switch 150. To do.

  Further, the communication quality analysis unit 512 acquires the passing time of the marking packet notified from the open flow switch 150 on the terminal 100 side. Further, the communication quality analysis unit 512 acquires the passing time of the marking packet notified from the open flow switch 450 on the access point 400 side. Then, the communication quality analysis unit 512 calculates the delay time (ms) by subtracting the marking packet passing time notified from the OpenFlow switch 150 from the marking packet passing time notified from the OpenFlow switch 450. To do.

  For example, the communication quality analysis unit 512 starts from the marking packet passage time “12: 00: 00.00050” notified from the OpenFlow switch 450 to the marking packet passage time “12: 00: 00.00045” notified from the OpenFlow switch 150. ”Is subtracted to calculate a delay time of 50 (ms).

  In addition, the communication quality analysis unit 512 may acquire the passing time of the marking packet from the OpenFlow switch 150 and the OpenFlow switch 450 a plurality of times. In such a case, the communication quality analysis unit 512 does not calculate the delay time when an abnormality such as a loss occurs while transmitting the marking packet, and does not calculate the delay time. The delay time may be calculated based on the passage time.

  Further, the communication quality analysis unit 512 may repeatedly execute the above process to calculate a plurality of delay times, and calculate an average value of the delay times based on the calculated plurality of delay times.

  The priority setting unit 513 sets the priority based on the communication quality analysis result. Specifically, the communication quality analysis unit 512 generates a priority-added flow entry based on the communication quality analysis result. The priority-added flow entry is a flow entry in which the priority determined based on the communication quality analysis result is stored in the item of execution action.

  For example, the priority setting unit 513 stores the same value as that of the temporary flow entry in the condition of the flow entry, stores the priority determined based on the analysis result of the communication quality in the execution action, and transmits the transmission packet amount (MB ) Is stored in “0” to generate a priority flow entry.

  For example, the priority setting unit 513 sets a high priority for the flow entry when the packet loss rate is large or the delay time is large compared to other communications. On the other hand, the priority setting unit 513 sets a low priority to the flow entry when the packet loss rate is small or the delay time is small compared to other communications.

  The flow table management unit 514 stores the generated priority-added flow entry in the terminal-side and access point-side flow tables. For example, the flow table management unit 514 stores the generated priority-added flow entry in the flow table 170 on the terminal 100 side. In addition, the flow table management unit 514 deletes the temporary flow entry stored in the flow table 170. Furthermore, the flow table management unit 514 stores the priority-added flow entry in the flow table 470 on the access point 400 side. In addition, the flow table management unit 514 deletes the temporary flow entry stored in the flow table 470.

  FIG. 3D is a diagram illustrating an example of a fourth data structure of the terminal-side flow table. The flow table 170d is an example of the flow table 170 in which priority-added flow entries are stored. According to the flow table 170d, a priority flow entry is stored in place of the temporary flow entry stored in the third row.

  The flow entry with priority stores the same values as the temporary flow entry with respect to the flow entry conditions such as the protocol, the transmission source IP address, the transmission source port, the destination IP address, and the destination TCP / IP port.

  Further, for example, the priority “Precedence = 1” is stored in the execution action. That is, it represents that the priority order of the packet related to the flow entry with priority is the first. Subsequently, the flow table management unit 514 changes the priority of the fifth row of the flow table 170d from “Precedence = 1” to “Precedence” as the priority “Precedence = 1” is stored in the flow entry with priority. = 2 ”. The flow table management unit 514 may store the same priority in the execution actions of a plurality of flow entries.

  FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating an example of a third data structure of the access point side flow table. The flow table 470c is an example of the flow table 470 in which priority-added flow entries are stored. According to the flow table 470c, instead of the temporary flow entry stored in the third row, the same flow entry as the priority-added flow entry related to the flow table 170d is stored.

  In FIG. 2, when transmitting a packet that matches the conditions of the priority flow entry, the packet processing unit 160 changes the priority of the packet based on the execution action of the priority flow entry. Specifically, the packet processing unit 160 changes the value of the TOS field in the IP header portion of the packet based on the priority set in the execution action of the priority-level flow entry.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the IP header portion of a packet. The IP header part of the packet includes version, header length, TOS (Type of Service) field, datagram length, identification number, flag, fragment offset, TTL (Time to live), protocol, checksum, source address, destination address And an optional area. In the TOS field, for example, the upper 3 bits are an area related to the priority, and the upper 4 to 7 bits are an area related to the type of service.

  The packet processing unit 160 changes the priority of the packet by changing the value of the upper 3 bits of the TOS field. For example, the packet processing unit 160 changes the priority of the packet to “1” by setting the upper 3 bits to “000”. Further, the packet processing unit 160 changes the priority of the packet to “3” by setting the upper 3 bits to “010”.

  In addition, although the example in which the IP header portion has the TOS field has been described, the IP header portion may have the DS field. In the DS field, the upper 6 bits are an area related to priority.

(Processing sequence according to Embodiment 1)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing sequence according to the first embodiment. The terminal 100 transmits a packet generated by a predetermined application to the open flow switch 150 on the terminal 100 side (step S10). The open flow switch 150 compares the IP header part of the received packet with the condition of the flow entry in the flow table 170. Since the packet does not match the conditions of any flow entry, the packet processing unit 160 generates a packet that stores a message relating to the processing method inquiry, and transmits the packet to the OpenFlow controller 500 (step S11). When the OpenFlow controller 500 receives a message regarding a processing method inquiry, the OpenFlow controller 500 generates a temporary flow entry. Subsequently, the OpenFlow controller 500 transmits the generated temporary flow entry to the OpenFlow switch 150 and stores it in the flow table 170 (Step S12).

  The open flow switch 150 transmits the packet processed based on the temporary flow entry stored in the flow table 170 to the wireless LAN I / F 151 (step S13). The wireless LAN I / F 151 transmits the received packet to the access point 400 via the wireless LAN (step S14). The access point 400 transmits the received packet to the open flow switch 450 on the access point 400 side (step S15).

  The open flow switch 450 compares the IP header portion of the received packet with the flow entry condition of the flow table 470. Since the packet does not match the conditions of any flow entry, the packet processing unit 460 generates a packet storing a message related to a processing method inquiry, and transmits the packet to the OpenFlow controller 500 (step S16). When the OpenFlow controller 500 receives a message regarding a processing method inquiry, the OpenFlow controller 500 generates a temporary flow entry. Subsequently, the OpenFlow controller 500 transmits the generated temporary flow entry to the OpenFlow switch 450 and stores it in the flow table 470 (Step S17).

  The open flow switch 450 transmits the packet processed based on the temporary flow entry stored in the flow table 470 to the router 520 (step S18).

  The OpenFlow switch 150 on the terminal 100 side acquires the transmission packet amount related to the temporary flow entry from the flow table 170 as statistical information after a predetermined time has elapsed, and transmits it to the OpenFlow controller 500 (Step S19). In addition, the OpenFlow switch 450 on the access point 400 side acquires the transmission packet amount related to the temporary flow entry from the flow table 470 as statistical information after a predetermined time has elapsed, and transmits it to the OpenFlow controller 500 (Step S20).

  The OpenFlow controller 500 analyzes the communication quality based on the difference in the statistical information and determines the priority (Step S21). For example, the OpenFlow controller 500 lost the transmission packet amount (MB) received from the OpenFlow switch 450 on the access point 400 from the transmission packet amount (MB) received from the OpenFlow switch 150 on the terminal 100 side, and lost. The packet amount (MB) is calculated. Subsequently, the OpenFlow controller 500 calculates the packet loss rate (%) by dividing the lost packet amount (MB) by the transmission packet amount (MB) received from the OpenFlow switch 150.

  The OpenFlow controller 500 is based on the difference between the passing time of the marking packet transmitted from the OpenFlow switch 150 on the terminal 100 side and the passing time of the marking packet transmitted from the OpenFlow switch 450 on the access point 400 side. Thus, the delay time (ms) may be calculated.

  The OpenFlow controller 500 generates a priority-added flow entry based on the communication quality analysis result. Subsequently, the OpenFlow controller 500 transmits the flow entry with priority to the OpenFlow switch 450 and stores the flow entry with priority in the flow table 470 (Step S22). Further, the OpenFlow controller 500 deletes the temporary flow entry stored in the flow table 470 in Step S17.

  The OpenFlow controller 500 transmits the priority-added flow entry to the OpenFlow switch 150, and stores the priority-added flow entry in the flow table 170 (Step S23). Further, the OpenFlow controller 500 deletes the temporary flow entry stored in the flow table 170 in Step S12.

  The terminal 100 transmits the packet corresponding to step S10 to the open flow switch 150 (step S24). The open flow switch 150 rewrites the TOS field of the IP header portion of the packet based on the priority-added flow entry and changes the priority of the packet. The OpenFlow switch 150 transmits the packet whose priority has been changed to the wireless LAN I / F 151.

  The wireless LAN I / F 151 transmits the received packet to the access point 400 via the wireless LAN (step S26). When the packet passes through the wireless LAN, QoS control by WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia) is performed on the packet.

  The access point 400 transmits the received packet to the open flow switch 450 (step S27). The open flow switch 450 transmits the received packet to the router 520 (step S28).

  Note that the wireless communication system 1 may repeatedly execute the above processing sequence at regular intervals. Thereby, the change of the communication state in the radio | wireless communications system 1 can be detected, and a priority can be changed dynamically according to the change of a communication state.

(Processing flow of the OpenFlow switch according to Embodiment 1)
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow of the open flow switch 150. The open flow switch 150 receives a packet from the terminal 100 (step S30). The open flow switch 150 acquires header information from the IP header of the received packet (step S31). The open flow switch 150 compares the acquired header information with the condition of the flow entry in the flow table 170 (step S32).

  When the header information matches the condition of the flow entry (YES in step S33), the open flow switch 150 acquires an execution action from the matching flow entry (step S34). Subsequently, the open flow switch 150 changes the priority of the packet based on the execution action (step S35). That is, the OpenFlow switch 150 rewrites the upper 3 bits of the TOS field in the IP header portion of the packet based on the priority stored in the execution action. Subsequently, the OpenFlow switch 150 transmits the packet to the destination address (Step S36).

  On the other hand, when the header information does not match the condition of any flow entry (NO in step S33), the open flow switch 150 transmits an inquiry message to the open flow controller 500 (step S37).

(effect)
In a wireless LAN environment, the number and types of sessions sharing the same access point continue to fluctuate, and the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN continues to fluctuate. If it is assumed that the priority of each communication is continuously changed manually, the operation is complicated for the user.

  According to the wireless communication system 1 of the first embodiment, by setting the priority to each packet communication based on the communication quality analyzed by comparing the statistical information measured by each device that performs wireless communication, Communication quality can be controlled according to the status of communication between devices.

  In addition, according to the wireless communication system 1 of the first embodiment, the priority is set in the same procedure for the communication performed between the apparatuses, so that consistent control can be performed in the entire network. it can.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the OpenFlow controller 500 sets communication priority for each of a plurality of applications included in the same terminal. In the second embodiment, the system configuration is the same as that of the wireless communication system 1 according to FIG. 1, the OpenFlow switch 150 has the configuration of FIG. 2, and the OpenFlow controller 500 has the configuration of FIG. To do.

(Configuration of the OpenFlow switch according to the second embodiment)
The packet processing unit 160 receives a packet transmitted from the terminal 100 to the open flow switch 150. Subsequently, the packet processing unit 160 compares the IP header portion of the received packet with the flow entry condition of the flow table 170.

  The flow table 170 has a separate flow entry for each application. For example, if the application that sends a packet is different, the connection port number and the destination TCP / IP port number of the transmission source stored in the IP header part are different. Therefore, the packet sent from each application has a different flow entry. The condition will be met. In some cases, the same connection port number and destination TCP / IP port number of the transmission source are set in the IP header portion of packets sent by two different applications.

  If the packet does not match the conditions of any flow entry, the packet processing unit 160 stores a message relating to the inquiry about the processing method in the packet, and transmits the packet to the OpenFlow controller 500.

  For example, when the connection port number of the transmission source and the destination TCP / IP port number, which are the conditions of the flow entry, are different from the packet, the packet processing unit 160 generates a packet related to the message regarding the processing method inquiry, and the OpenFlow controller 500 The packet is transmitted to.

  The flow table update unit 161 receives a temporary flow entry from the OpenFlow controller 500 that has received a message regarding an inquiry about a processing method. The flow table update unit 161 stores the received temporary flow entry as a new flow entry in the flow table 170.

  The packet processing unit 160 processes a packet based on the temporary flow entry stored in the flow table 170 and transmits the packet via the wireless LAN I / F 151. Further, the packet processing unit 160 generates a partial marking packet and transmits it to the OpenFlow switch 450.

  The statistical information update unit 162 stores the total capacity (MB) of transmitted packets in the flow table for each flow entry.

  The statistical information update unit 162 acquires, from the flow table 170, the total capacity (MB) of the packet related to the transmitted temporary flow entry after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of transmission of the packet related to the temporary flow entry. Then, the statistical information update unit 162 transmits the total capacity (MB) of the packet related to the transmitted temporary flow entry to the OpenFlow controller 500.

  Similarly, in the open flow switch 450 on the access point 400 side, the temporary flow entry is stored in the flow table 470, and the total capacity (MB) of the transmission packet related to the temporary flow entry is transmitted to the open flow controller 500. .

  The OpenFlow controller 500 gives priority based on the communication quality analyzed by comparing the statistical information transmitted from the OpenFlow switch 150 on the terminal 100 side with the statistical information transmitted from the OpenFlow switch 450 on the access point 400 side. Determine the degree and create a priority flow entry. The OpenFlow controller 500 stores the generated priority-added flow entries in the flow tables of the terminal 100 and the access point 400, respectively.

  In the open flow switch 150, the packet processing unit 160 transmits the packet after changing the priority of the packet based on the priority-added flow entry.

(effect)
The priority of the packet sent out by the application is different for each application. For example, the priority of a packet transmitted by an application relating to a voice call is often relatively high because real-time characteristics are required. On the other hand, the priority of a packet transmitted by an application relating to file transmission is often lower than that of a voice call.

  According to the wireless communication system 1 of the second embodiment, the priority is set to the packet transmitted from each application based on the communication quality analyzed by comparing the statistical information measured by each device that performs wireless communication. Thus, communication quality can be controlled for each application according to the communication status.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the OpenFlow controller 500 is located on the bus 510 to which the OpenFlow switch 450 and the router 520 are connected, but is not limited thereto. For example, the OpenFlow controller 500 may be directly connected to the terminal 100, the terminal 200, and the terminal 300. The OpenFlow controller 500 may be built in the access point 400.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the packet loss rate and the delay time are calculated as the communication quality, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the retransmission rate may be measured by a wireless device or a device driver, and the measured retransmission rate may be transmitted to the OpenFlow controller 500 as communication quality. Thereby, the radio | wireless communications system 1 can perform more exact QoS control.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the OpenFlow switch 150 executes the above processing and sets the priority for a new flow entry when there is no flow entry corresponding to the packet. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, when there is already a flow entry corresponding to the packet in the flow table, the open flow switch 150 may execute the above process and reset the priority of the flow entry again.

  Further, when there is a flow entry corresponding to a packet in the flow table 170, the open flow switch 150 may relatively increase the priority of the flow entry by decreasing the priority of the other flow entry. .

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, packets transmitted from a plurality of OpenFlow switches are received by one access point, but the present invention is not limited to this. Multiple access points may receive the packet. In such a case, the OpenFlow switch associated with each access point may have the same flow table.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, a plurality of open flow switches are controlled by one open flow controller, but the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of OpenFlow controllers may control each OpenFlow switch.

  Although the management system has been described above by the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements can be made within the scope of the present invention.

(Device hardware configuration)
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the terminal 100.
The terminal 100 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, an HDD 54, an operation unit 55, a display unit 56, a drive device 57, and a storage medium 58.

  The CPU 51 is a processor that performs overall control of the terminal 100. The CPU 51 realizes the function of each processing unit of the open flow switch 150. That is, the CPU 51 realizes the functions of the packet processing unit 160, the flow table update unit 161, and the statistical information update unit 162 in FIG. Further, the CPU 51 executes programs such as an operating system, applications, and various services stored in the HDD 54 and the like, and realizes various functions of the terminal 100. The ROM 52 stores various programs and data used by the programs. The RAM 53 is used as a storage area for loading a program or a work area for the loaded program. The HDD 54 stores various information, programs, and the like.

  The operation unit 55 is hardware for accepting an input operation from a user, and is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like.

  The display unit 56 is hardware that performs display for the user, such as a monitor or a liquid crystal display.

  The drive device 57 reads the program from the storage medium 58 on which the program is recorded. The program read by the drive device 57 is installed in the HDD 54, for example.

  Note that the storage medium 58 refers to a non-temporary storage medium. Examples of the storage medium 58 include a magnetic storage medium, an optical disk, a magneto-optical storage medium, and a nonvolatile memory.

  The wireless LAN I / F 60 includes a baseband unit 61, an RF unit 62, a transmission / reception unit 63, and an antenna 64. The baseband unit 61 performs conversion between digital data composed of IP packets transmitted and received with the terminal 100 via radio and electrical signals. The RF unit 62 performs conversion between the frequency of the electrical signal generated by the baseband unit 61 and the frequency of the radio wave. The transmission / reception unit 63 performs power amplification of the radio wave generated by the RF unit 62. The received radio wave is amplified and passed to the RF unit 62. The antenna 64 transmits and receives radio waves.

  Note that the terminal 200 and the terminal 300 may also have a hardware configuration according to FIG.

(Access point hardware configuration)
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the access point 400. The access point 400 includes a CPU 71, ROM 72, RAM 73, NVRAM 74, NIC (Network Interface Card) 81, operation unit 82, display unit 83, drive device 84, storage medium 85, and wireless LAN I / F 90. The access point 400 is, for example, a printer, a TV (Television), a PC (Personal Computer), or the like that conforms to the Wi-Fi Direct standard.

  The CPU 71 is a processor that performs overall control of the access point 400. The CPU 71 realizes the functions of the processing units of the open flow switch 450. That is, the CPU 71 implements the functions of the packet processing unit 460, the flow table update unit 461, and the statistical information update unit 462 in FIG.

  The ROM 72 stores various programs and data used by the programs. The RAM 73 is used as a storage area for loading a program, a work area for the loaded program, and the like. The NVRAM 74 stores various setting information and the like.

  The NIC 81 is connected to a LAN, for example, and may be used when the access point 400 communicates with another device. The NIC 81 is an example of a communication I / F 152.

  The operation unit 82 accepts various inputs from the user, such as power on / off of the access point 400 and operation settings of the access point 400. Display unit 83 displays the operating status of access point 400.

  The drive device 84 reads a program or data stored in the storage medium 85. By setting the storage medium 85 on which the program is recorded in the drive device 84, the program can be loaded from the storage medium 85 to the RAM 73 via the drive device 84. Examples of the storage medium 85 include a magnetic storage medium, an optical disk, a magneto-optical storage medium, and a nonvolatile memory.

  The wireless LAN I / F 90 includes a baseband unit 91, an RF unit 92, a transmission / reception unit 93, and an antenna 94. The baseband unit 91 performs conversion between digital data composed of IP packets transmitted / received to / from the terminal 100 wirelessly and an electrical signal. The RF unit 92 performs conversion between the frequency of the electrical signal generated by the baseband unit 91 and the frequency of the radio wave. The transmission / reception unit 93 performs power amplification of the radio wave generated by the RF unit 92. The received radio wave is amplified and passed to the RF unit 92. The antenna 94 transmits and receives radio waves.

5 Internet 100, 200, 300 Terminals 150, 250, 350, 450 Open flow switch 151 Wireless LAN I / F
160 Packet processing unit 161 Flow table update unit 162 Statistics information update unit 170 Flow table 400 Access point 500 Open flow controller 501 Communication I / F
510 Bus 511 Switch control unit 512 Communication quality analysis unit 513 Priority setting unit 514 Flow table management unit 520 Router

JP 2012-527711 A

Claims (14)

A first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device that constitute a network for data transmission, and control for controlling data transmission between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device In a system having a device,
Each of the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device is
A transmission status notification means for measuring a data transmission status performed via the network and notifying the control device of a measurement result;
Storing means for storing a flow table in which the priority of the data transmission is set,
The controller is
Communication quality analysis means for analyzing the communication quality of the data transmission based on the comparison of the data transmission status received from each of the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device;
Priority setting means for determining the priority of the data transmission based on the analyzed communication quality, and setting the priority of the data transmission in the flow table;
The system characterized by having. The communication quality analysis means measures a transmission time and a reception time of a packet transmitted in a specific session set between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device, and calculates from the time difference. Analyze transmission delay time,
The system according to claim 1, wherein the priority setting unit sets the priority of the data transmission of the specific session based on the transmission delay time. The communication quality analysis means measures a transmission data amount and a reception data amount of a packet transmitted in a specific session set between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device, Analyzing the packet loss rate from the difference between the transmission data amount and the reception data amount,
The system according to claim 1, wherein the priority setting unit sets the priority of the data transmission of the specific session based on the packet loss rate.   The priority setting means, when it is determined that the communication quality of the specific session is less than a threshold, the priority of the data transmission of the specific session is changed to be higher. The system according to 2 or 3.   When the communication quality of the specific session is determined to be less than the threshold, the priority setting means sets the priority of the data transmission of another session that uses the same transmission path as the specific session. The system according to claim 2, wherein the system is changed to a low level.   The priority setting unit changes priority of bidirectional data transmission between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device. The system described in the section. A third wireless communication device that performs data transmission with the first communication device via the network;
The communication quality analyzing means includes communication quality between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device, and communication between the first wireless communication device and the third wireless communication device. Analyze the quality,
The priority setting means, based on the analyzed communication quality, priorities for data transmission between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device, and the first wireless communication device The system according to claim 1, wherein a priority of data transmission with the third wireless communication apparatus is set. The priority setting means includes:
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a priority of the data transmission is set based on a retransmission rate of the data transmission. The priority setting means includes:
9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the priority of the data transmission is updated at a predetermined time interval.   The system according to claim 1, wherein WMM in a wireless LAN is used for the data transmission.   The system according to claim 1, wherein the control device is an open flow controller.   The system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first communication device and the second communication device each include an open flow switch. A wireless communication device that performs data transmission to another wireless communication device via a network in which data transmission is controlled by a control device,
A transmission status notification means for measuring a data transmission status performed via the network and notifying the control device of a measurement result;
In the control device, the priority determined according to the communication quality analyzed by comparing the status of data transmission received from each of the wireless communication device and the other wireless communication device is set by the control device. And a storage means for storing a flow table. A program for causing a wireless communication device to perform data transmission to another wireless communication device via a network in which data transmission is controlled by a control device,
Measuring a data transmission situation performed via the network, and notifying the control device of a measurement result;
In the control device, the priority determined according to the communication quality analyzed by comparing the status of data transmission received from each of the wireless communication device and the other wireless communication device is set by the control device. A step of storing a flow table.

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