JP2016225684A - Packet relay device, packet relay system, and packet relay method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of communication ports for a redundant configuration.SOLUTION: A packet relay device comprises: a plurality of communication ports for transmitting a received packet to the outside; a storage unit for storing transfer information showing correspondence between a destination of a packet and a communication port; and a switch unit that receives a target packet, a packet to be relayed, selects a communication port to be an output destination of the target packet, on the basis of the transfer information, and outputs the target packet to the selected communication port. The storage unit further stores virtual port information showing correspondence between a virtual port and a communication port. The switch unit, when a destination of a target packet corresponds to a virtual port, outputs the target packet to a communication port corresponding to the virtual port in the virtual port information. The packet relay device further comprises: a monitoring unit for monitoring a state of the packet relay device; and a redundancy switching unit that, on the basis of a result of monitoring by the monitoring unit, replaces a communication port in the virtual port information with another communication port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a packet relay device, a packet relay system, and a packet relay method, and more particularly, to a packet relay device, a packet relay system, and a packet relay method having a plurality of communication ports.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-228921 (Patent Document 1) discloses the following network relay device. That is, in the network relay devices 1 and 2, the ports 1a to 1f and the ports 2a to 2f are connected by a plurality of physical lines 4 to 14. Among these, the LAG (Link Aggregation Group) 1 in which the two physical lines 4 and 6 are logically bundled constitutes a LAG 2, and the other two physical lines 10 and 12 constitute the LAG 2. Physical lines 8 and 14 that do not belong to LAG 1 and 2 are defined as standby lines, and when a failure occurs in a physical line (ordinary line) in either LAG 1 or 2, one of the standby lines changes to a normal line. Then, the LAG is reconfigured, and the failed line becomes a new standby line.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-228921 JP 2005-27144 A JP 2004-349664 A JP 2008-301509 A

  For example, each of the network relay devices 1 and 2 shown in Patent Document 1 includes six ports, and the six ports of each network relay device are connected by six physical lines as a redundant configuration. In such a redundant configuration shown in Patent Document 1, the same number of ports are required in the network relay apparatuses 1 and 2.

  However, for example, since a port that terminates a physical line capable of transmitting information at high speed is often expensive, a technique for reducing the number of ports for a redundant configuration is required.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a packet relay device, a packet relay system, and a packet relay method capable of reducing the number of communication ports for a redundant configuration. That is.

  (1) In order to solve the above-described problem, a packet relay device according to an aspect of the present invention is a packet relay device, and includes a plurality of communication ports that transmit received packets to the outside, a packet destination, and the communication A storage unit that stores transfer information indicating a correspondence relationship with a port, a target packet that is a packet to be relayed, and the communication port that is to be an output destination of the target packet is selected based on the transfer information; A switch unit that outputs the target packet to the selected communication port, a virtual port can be registered instead of the communication port in the transfer information, and the storage unit further includes the virtual port Virtual port information indicating a correspondence relationship between a port and the communication port is stored, and the switch unit stores a destination when the destination of the target packet corresponds to the virtual port. , Outputting the target packet to the communication port corresponding to the virtual port in the virtual port information, the packet relay device further monitoring a state of the packet relay device, and a monitoring result by the monitoring unit And a redundant switching unit that performs a port switching process for changing the communication port in the virtual port information to another communication port.

  (7) In order to solve the above-described problem, a packet relay system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a packet relay device and an optical branching unit, and the packet relay device transmits a plurality of communication ports. Each of the communication ports is connected to the same communication port for receiving the optical signal in another device via the optical branching unit, and the packet relay device is connected to any one of the communication ports. One of the selected communication ports, the optical port including the packet is transmitted to the optical branching unit from the operation port that is the selected communication port, the optical output from the non-selected communication port is stopped, and the packet relay device , Monitoring its own state, changing the operation port to another communication port based on the monitoring result, and starting optical output of the communication port after the change.

  (8) In order to solve the above-described problem, a packet relay method according to an aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of communication ports for transmitting received packets to the outside, and provides a correspondence between a packet destination and the communication port. A packet relay method in a packet relay apparatus for storing transfer information indicating, receiving a target packet that is a packet to be relayed, and selecting the communication port to be an output destination of the target packet based on the transfer information Outputting the target packet to the selected communication port, and the transfer information can register a virtual port instead of the communication port, and the packet relay device further includes the virtual In the step of storing virtual port information indicating a correspondence relationship between a port and the communication port, and outputting the target packet When the destination of the target packet corresponds to the virtual port, the target packet is output to the communication port corresponding to the virtual port in the virtual port information, and the packet relay method further includes a state of the packet relay device And a port switching process for changing the communication port in the virtual port information to another communication port based on the monitoring result.

  (9) In order to solve the above problem, a packet relay method according to another aspect of the present invention is a packet relay method in a packet relay system including a packet relay device and an optical branching unit, and the packet relay device Includes a plurality of communication ports for transmitting optical signals, and each of the communication ports is connected to the same communication port for receiving the optical signal in another device via the optical branching unit, and the packet relay The apparatus selects any one of the communication ports, transmits an optical signal including a packet from the operation port that is the selected communication port to the optical branching unit, and receives an unselected communication port from the communication port. A step of stopping optical output, and the packet relay device monitors its own state, changes the operation port to another communication port based on the monitoring result, and changes And initiating a light output of the communication port.

  The present invention can be realized not only as a packet relay device including such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of the packet relay device, and the steps of such characteristic processing. It can be realized as a program to be executed by a computer.

  The present invention can be realized not only as a packet relay system including such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of the packet relay system. It can be realized as a program to be executed by a computer.

  According to the present invention, the number of communication ports for redundant configuration can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to a comparative example. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of the packet relay system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the packet relay apparatus in the packet relay system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication port in the substrate according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the topology of the optical fiber connection between the packet relay device and the opposite device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a processing unit in the substrate according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a port table stored in the storage unit in the processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual port table stored in the storage unit in the processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of the switch unit in the processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a priority table created by the management unit in the packet relay apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual port table rewritten by the management unit in the packet relay device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure of processing when the packet relay apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention detects an abnormal operation. FIG. 14 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure when the packet relay device according to the embodiment of the present invention performs a packet relay process.

  First, the contents of the embodiment of the present invention will be listed and described.

  (1) A packet relay apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a packet relay apparatus, and shows a correspondence relationship between a plurality of communication ports that transmit received packets to the outside, a packet destination, and the communication ports. A storage unit that stores transfer information and a target packet that is a packet to be relayed, and selects the communication port that is to be an output destination of the target packet based on the transfer information, and the selected communication port A switch unit that outputs a target packet, and in the transfer information, a virtual port can be registered instead of the communication port, and the storage unit further includes a connection between the virtual port and the communication port. Virtual port information indicating a correspondence relationship is stored, and when the destination of the target packet corresponds to the virtual port, the switch unit stores the virtual port information in the virtual port information. The target packet is output to the communication port corresponding to the virtual port, the packet relay device further includes a monitoring unit that monitors a state of the packet relay device, and a virtual result based on a monitoring result by the monitoring unit. A redundancy switching unit that performs port switching processing for changing the communication port in the port information to another communication port.

  With such a configuration, a plurality of communication ports secured for a redundant configuration can be managed together as a virtual port, so that processing related to communication ports can be simplified. Then, for example, by providing a splitter or the like that joins routes from a plurality of secured communication ports to one communication port in the packet transmission destination device, the number of communication ports in the transmission destination device is determined in the packet relay device. It can be reduced from the number of communication ports. Therefore, the number of communication ports for redundant configuration can be reduced.

  (2) Preferably, the virtual port information indicates a correspondence relationship between one virtual port and one communication port.

  With such a configuration, in a redundant configuration using a plurality of communication ports, a plurality of communication ports can be virtually handled as one port.

  (3) More preferably, the virtual port information further indicates a correspondence relationship between another one of the virtual ports and another plurality of the communication ports.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to divert the configuration for LAG that logically bundles the physical lines of the plurality of communication ports to the port switching process for the redundant configuration. In addition, since the port switching process for the redundant configuration and the normal LAG process can be operated with the same mechanism, both processes can coexist.

  (4) Preferably, the packet relay device further includes a plurality of boards each having a set of the storage unit, the switch unit, and the communication port mounted thereon, and the redundancy switching unit is configured to perform the port switching process, The communication port mounted on the board different from the board on which the communication port before the change is mounted is changed.

  With such a configuration, even if any of the storage unit, switch unit, and communication port on a certain board fails, the port switching process can be performed and packets can be transmitted to the outside using another board. Thus, redundancy in units of substrates can be realized.

  (5) More preferably, the packet relay device further includes a transmission path for transmitting a packet between the boards, and the switch unit sends the target packet to the communication port in another board via the transmission path. Output to.

  With such a configuration, for example, even in a configuration in which the target packet is output to one board, the switch unit on each board outputs the packet to the communication port on any other board via the transmission path. Therefore, the port switching process to the communication port on another board can be performed satisfactorily.

  (6) Preferably, the communication port transmits an optical signal including the received packet to the outside, and the packet relay device further outputs an optical output of the communication port to be changed before performing the port switching process. A port control unit for controlling to stop the operation.

  As described above, the configuration in which the optical output of the standby communication port is stopped can prevent the optical signal transmitted from the active communication port from being affected by the optical output of the standby communication port.

  (7) A packet relay system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a packet relay device and an optical branching unit, and the packet relay device includes a plurality of communication ports that transmit optical signals, and each of the communication ports Is connected to the same communication port for receiving the optical signal in another device via the optical branching unit, and the packet relay device selects any one of the communication ports, The optical signal including the packet is transmitted from the operation port that is the selected communication port to the optical branching unit, the optical output from the non-selected communication port is stopped, and the packet relay device monitors its own state. Based on the monitoring result, the operation port is changed to another communication port, and optical output of the communication port after the change is started.

  With such a configuration, the optical signal output from the plurality of communication ports for the redundant configuration is multiplexed at the optical branching unit and transmitted to the same communication port in the other device, so that the communication port in the other device is transmitted. Can be reduced from the number of communication ports in the packet relay apparatus. Therefore, the number of communication ports for redundant configuration can be reduced. In addition, an optical signal including a packet is transmitted from the operation port to the optical branching unit, and the optical output from the standby communication port is stopped, so that the optical signal transmitted from the operation port is output from the standby communication port. Can be prevented from being affected by.

  (8) A packet relay method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of communication ports that transmit received packets to the outside, and a packet that stores transfer information indicating a correspondence between a packet destination and the communication port A packet relay method in a relay device, which receives a target packet that is a packet to be relayed, selects the communication port to be an output destination of the target packet based on the transfer information, and sends the selected communication port to the selected communication port A step of outputting the target packet, wherein the transfer information can register a virtual port instead of the communication port, and the packet relay device further includes the virtual port and the communication port. In the step of storing the virtual port information indicating the correspondence relationship and outputting the target packet, the destination of the target packet is When corresponding to a virtual port, the target packet is output to the communication port corresponding to the virtual port in the virtual port information, and the packet relay method further includes a step of monitoring a state of the packet relay device, Performing a port switching process for changing the communication port in the virtual port information to another communication port based on the result.

  With such a configuration, a plurality of communication ports secured for a redundant configuration can be managed together as a virtual port, so that processing related to communication ports can be simplified. Then, for example, by providing a splitter or the like that joins routes from a plurality of secured communication ports to one communication port in the packet transmission destination device, the number of communication ports in the transmission destination device is determined in the packet relay device. It can be reduced from the number of communication ports. Therefore, the number of communication ports for redundant configuration can be reduced.

  (9) A packet relay method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a packet relay method in a packet relay system including a packet relay device and an optical branching unit, and the packet relay device transmits a plurality of optical signals. Each communication port is connected to the same communication port for receiving the optical signal in another device via the optical branching unit, and the packet relay device is connected to each communication port. Selecting one of them, transmitting an optical signal including a packet from the operation port that is the selected communication port to the optical branching unit, and stopping optical output from the unselected communication port; The packet relay device monitors its own state, changes the operation port to another communication port based on the monitoring result, and changes the optical output of the communication port after the change. And a step of beginning.

  With such a configuration, the optical signal output from the plurality of communication ports for the redundant configuration is multiplexed at the optical branching unit and transmitted to the same communication port in the other device, so that the communication port in the other device is transmitted. Can be reduced from the number of communication ports in the packet relay apparatus. Therefore, the number of communication ports for redundant configuration can be reduced. In addition, an optical signal including a packet is transmitted from the operation port to the optical branching unit, and the optical output from the standby communication port is stopped, so that the optical signal transmitted from the operation port is output from the standby communication port. Can be prevented from being affected by.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated. Moreover, you may combine arbitrarily at least one part of embodiment described below.

[Configuration and basic operation]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the communication system 301 includes a plurality of ONUs (Optical Network Units) 111, OLTs (Optical Line Terminals) 121, opposing devices 151 </ b> J and 151 </ b> K, and a packet relay system 302.

  Hereinafter, in the communication system 301, each of the facing devices 151J and 151K is also referred to as a facing device 151. In FIG. 1, two opposing devices 151 are representatively shown, but a larger or smaller number of opposing devices 151 may be provided. Further, a plurality of ONUs 111 are representatively shown, but one ONU 111 may be provided. In addition, although one OLT 121 is representatively shown, a plurality of OLTs 121 may be provided.

  The ONU 111 in the communication system 301 is provided, for example, in a subscriber's house. The OLT 121, the packet relay system 302, and the opposing devices 151J and 151K are provided in a station, for example.

  A plurality of ONUs 111 and OLTs 121 constitute, for example, a PON (Passive Optical Network). For example, the OLT 121 is connected to a plurality of ONUs 111 by an optical fiber via an optical splitter and an optical fiber in the PON. The OLT 121 is housed in, for example, a housing and can be detached from the housing.

  The OLT 121 exchanges packets, specifically IP packets, with a plurality of ONUs 111 via optical fibers and optical splitters, for example.

  For example, when receiving a packet from the ONU 111, the OLT 121 transmits the received packet to the packet relay system 302.

  The packet relay system 302 relays the packet. Specifically, for example, when the packet relay system 302 receives a packet from the OLT 121, the packet relay system 302 transmits the received packet to the opposite device 151 that is a higher-level device.

  More specifically, the packet relay system 302 transmits the packet to the opposite device 151J or 151K according to the destination of the received packet, for example.

  Further, for example, when receiving a packet from the opposite device 151J or 151K, the packet relay system 302 transmits the received packet to the OLT 121.

  For example, the OLT 121 transmits the packet received from the packet relay system 302 to the ONU 111.

[Task]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to a comparative example.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the communication system 303 of the comparative example includes a packet relay device 901 and a counter device 151L instead of the packet relay system 302 and the counter device 151J, as compared with the communication system shown in FIG. Hereinafter, in the communication system 303, each of the opposing devices 151K and 151L is also referred to as an opposing device 151.

  The packet relay device 901 includes substrates 910A and 910B. Hereinafter, each of the substrates 910A and 910B is also referred to as a substrate 910.

  In the packet relay apparatus 901, an operation may be performed in which both the boards 910A and 910B are turned on simultaneously, or an operation in which one of the boards 910A and 910B is turned on and the other is turned off. Good.

  For example, there is a case where communication service between the packet relay device 901 and the opposite device 151 is desired to avoid a communication service stop by making a communication path redundant. In this case, for example, by providing a plurality of communication paths between the packet relay apparatus 901 and the opposite apparatus 151, it is possible to make the communication paths redundant and avoid stopping the communication service.

  More specifically, in communication system 303, for example, communication path 91A between board 910A and counter apparatus 151L, communication path 91B between board 910A and counter apparatus 151K, communication path 91C between board 910B and counter apparatus 151L, and board A communication path 91D between 910B and the opposing device 151K is provided. Hereinafter, each of the communication paths 91A, 91B, 91C, and 91D is also referred to as a communication path 91. The communication path 91 is a communication path using, for example, an optical fiber.

  With such a configuration, for example, even when a signal cannot be transmitted / received in any one of the communication paths 91A and 91C, the packet is transmitted between the packet relay apparatus 901 and the opposite apparatus 151L using the other normal communication path 91. Can be sent and received.

  Here, the case where transmission / reception of a signal cannot be performed in the communication path 91 means, for example, a case where an optical fiber is broken or a failure occurs in a device connected to a communication port that terminates the optical fiber, or for maintenance. This is the case when the optical fiber is removed.

  Similarly, even when a signal cannot be transmitted / received in any one of the communication paths 91B and 91D, the packet is transmitted / received between the packet relay apparatus 901 and the counter apparatus 151K using the other normal communication path 91. Can do.

  Further, for example, even when one of the substrates 910A and 910B fails, the packet relay device 901 and the opposite device 151 are connected using the communication path between the other non-failed substrate 910 and the opposite device 151. Packets can be sent and received.

  However, as described above, since communication ports used for high-speed communication paths are often expensive, a technique for reducing the number of communication ports for a redundant configuration is required.

  Thus, the packet relay system according to the embodiment of the present invention solves such a problem by the following configuration and operation.

[Configuration of packet relay system]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of the packet relay system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the packet relay system 302 includes a packet relay device 101 and an optical branching unit 141. The opposing device 151J includes an opposing device communication port 152A. The opposing device 151K includes opposing device communication ports 152B and 152C.

  Hereinafter, each of the opposing device communication ports 152A, 152B, and 152C is also referred to as an opposing device communication port 152. In FIG. 3, one optical branching unit 141 is representatively shown, but a larger number of optical branching units 141 may be provided.

  The packet relay apparatus 101 and the optical branching unit 141 are connected by, for example, optical fibers 131Aa, 131Ad, 131Ba, and 131Bd. The optical branching unit 141 and the opposing device 151J are connected by, for example, an optical fiber 131J. The packet relay apparatus 101 and the counter apparatus 151K are connected by optical fibers 131Ab and 131Ac, for example.

  Hereinafter, each of the optical fibers 131Aa, 131Ab, 131Ac, 131Ad, 131Ba, 131Bd, and 131J is also referred to as an optical fiber 131.

  The counter device communication port 152 receives an optical signal. More specifically, the opposing device communication port 152 transmits and receives an optical signal to and from the packet relay device 101 via the optical fiber 131, for example.

[Configuration of packet relay device]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the packet relay apparatus in the packet relay system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  With reference to FIG. 4, the packet relay apparatus 101 includes substrates 10 </ b> A and 10 </ b> B, a monitoring unit 11, a port control unit 12, and a transmission path 14.

  Hereinafter, each of the substrates 10A and 10B is also referred to as a substrate 10. In FIG. 4, two substrates 10 are representatively shown, but a larger or smaller number of substrates 10 may be provided.

  For example, the substrates 10A and 10B are housed in a housing in which the OLT 121 is housed, and can be detached from the housing.

  The substrate 10A includes a processing unit 13A and communication ports 43Aa, 43Ab, 43Ac, and 43Ad. The substrate 10B includes a processing unit 13B and communication ports 43Ba, 43Bb, 43Bc, and 43Bd.

  Hereinafter, each of the processing units 13A and 13B is also referred to as a processing unit 13. Each of the communication ports 43Aa, 43Ab, 43Ac, 43Ad, 43Ba, 43Bb, 43Bc, and 43Bd is also referred to as a communication port 43.

  In FIG. 4, eight communication ports 43 are representatively shown in the packet relay apparatus 101, but it is only necessary that a plurality of communication ports 43 be provided in the packet relay apparatus 101.

  The logical name of the substrate 10A is “sw1”, for example. The logical name of the substrate 10B is “sw2”, for example.

  The logical names of the communication ports 43Aa, 43Ab, 43Ac, and 43Ad are, for example, “sw1 / 1”, “sw1 / 2”, “sw1 / 3”, and “sw1 / 4”, respectively. The logical names of the communication ports 43Ba, 43Bb, 43Bc, and 43Bd are, for example, “sw2 / 1”, “sw2 / 2”, “sw2 / 3”, and “sw2 / 4”, respectively.

  The processing unit 13 is a chip for performing packet relay processing, for example. The communication port 43 is, for example, an optical transceiver module according to the SFP + (Small Form-factor Pluggable +) standard.

  For example, sets of the processing unit 13 and the four communication ports 43 are mounted on the substrates 10A and 10B, respectively. The transmission path 14 transmits a packet between the boards 10A and 10B, for example.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication port in the substrate according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 5, communication port 43 includes an optical signal processing unit 41 and a terminal 42. An optical fiber 131 can be connected to the terminal 42.

  Hereinafter, the optical signal processing units 41 in the communication ports 43Aa, 43Ab, 43Ac, 43Ad, 43Ba, 43Bb, 43Bc, and 43Bd are also referred to as optical signal processing units 41Aa, 41Ab, 41Ac, 41Ad, 41Ba, 41Bb, 41Bc, and 41Bd, respectively. The terminals 42 in the communication ports 43Aa, 43Ab, 43Ac, 43Ad, 43Ba, 43Bb, 43Bc, and 43Bd are also referred to as terminals 42Aa, 42Ab, 42Ac, 42Ad, 42Ba, 42Bb, 42Bc, and 42Bd, respectively.

  Each of the optical signal processing units 41Aa, 41Ab, 41Ac, 41Ad, 41Ba, 41Bb, 41Bc, and 41Bd is also referred to as an optical signal processing unit 41. Each of the terminals 42Aa, 42Ab, 42Ac, 42Ad, 42Ba, 42Bb, 42Bc, 42Bd is also referred to as a terminal 42.

  The communication port 43 transmits the received packet to the outside of the packet relay device 101. More specifically, the communication port 43 transmits an optical signal including the received packet to the outside of the packet relay apparatus 101, for example. Specifically, the communication port 43 transmits, for example, an optical signal including a packet received by its own substrate 10 to the opposite device 151 or the optical branching unit 141 via the optical fiber 131.

Connection topology
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the topology of the optical fiber connection between the packet relay device and the opposite device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the plurality of communication ports 43 are connected to the same opposing device communication port 152 for receiving an optical signal in another device via the optical branching unit 141. Specifically, the communication ports 43Aa, 43Ad, 43Ba, and 43Bd are connected to the opposing device communication port 152A in the opposing device 151J via the optical branching unit 141.

  In other words, the packet relay apparatus 101 and the opposite apparatus 151 are connected by n: 1 (n is an integer of 2 or more) via the optical branching unit 141. Specifically, the packet relay apparatus 101 and the opposite apparatus 151J are connected by 4: 1 via the optical branching unit 141, for example.

  Specifically, for example, four optical fibers 131Aa, 131Ad, 131Ba, and 131Bd are connected in parallel between the packet relay apparatus 101 and the optical branching unit 141. Further, for example, one optical fiber 131J is connected between the optical branching unit 141 and the opposing device 151J.

  More specifically, the optical fiber 131Aa has a first end connected to the communication port 43Aa on the substrate 10A and a second end connected to the optical branching unit 141. The optical fiber 131Ad has a first end connected to the communication port 43Ad in the substrate 10A and a second end connected to the optical branching unit 141. The optical fiber 131Ba has a first end connected to the communication port 43Ba on the substrate 10B and a second end connected to the optical branching unit 141. The optical fiber 131Bd has a first end connected to the communication port 43Bd on the substrate 10B and a second end connected to the optical branching unit 141.

  The optical fiber 131J has a first end connected to the optical branching unit 141 and a second end connected to the opposing device communication port 152A in the opposing device 151J.

  The optical branching unit 141 optically couples the second end of the optical fiber 131Aa and the first end of the optical fiber 131J. The optical branching unit 141 optically couples the second end of the optical fiber 131Ad and the first end of the optical fiber 131J. The optical branching unit 141 optically couples the second end of the optical fiber 131Ba and the first end of the optical fiber 131J. The optical branching unit 141 optically couples the second end of the optical fiber 131Bd and the first end of the optical fiber 131J.

  More specifically, the optical branching unit 141 is specifically an optical splitter, for example, optical signals transmitted from the communication ports 43Aa, 43Ad, 43Ba, and 43Bd through the optical fibers 131Aa, 131Ad, 131Ba, and 131Bd, respectively. And the combined optical signal is transmitted to the counter device communication port 152A through the optical fiber 131J.

  The optical branching unit 141 demultiplexes the optical signal transmitted from the opposing device communication port 152A through the optical fiber 131J, for example, and the demultiplexed optical signal is transmitted through the optical fibers 131Aa, 131Ad, 131Ba, and 131Bd to the communication port 43Aa. , 43Ad, 43Ba, 43Bd, respectively.

  The packet relay device 101 and the opposite device 151K are connected by, for example, 2: 2. Specifically, for example, optical fibers 131Ab and 131Ac are connected in parallel between the packet relay device 101 and the opposite device 151K.

  More specifically, the optical fiber 131Ab has a first end connected to the communication port 43Ab in the substrate 10A and a second end connected to the counter device communication port 152B in the counter device 151K. The optical fiber 131Ac has a first end connected to the communication port 43Ac in the substrate 10A and a second end connected to the counter device communication port 152C.

  The communication ports 43Bb and 43Bc on the substrate 10B are not connected to an optical fiber, for example.

  In the packet relay apparatus 101, the communication ports 43Aa, 43Ad, 43Ba, and 43Bd are used as fixed LAG ports. Hereinafter, each of the communication ports 43Aa, 43Ad, 43Ba, and 43Bd is also referred to as a fixed LAG port 43.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a processing unit in the substrate according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 7, processing unit 13 includes an OLT side IF (interface) unit 31, a switch unit 32, a storage unit 34, and a management unit (redundancy switching unit) 35.

  Hereinafter, the OLT-side IF unit 31, the switch unit 32, the storage unit 34, and the management unit 35 in the processing unit 13A are also referred to as an OLT-side IF unit 31A, a switch unit 32A, a storage unit 34A, and a management unit 35A, respectively.

  Further, the OLT-side IF unit 31, the switch unit 32, the storage unit 34, and the management unit 35 in the processing unit 13B are also referred to as an OLT-side IF unit 31B, a switch unit 32B, a storage unit 34B, and a management unit 35B, respectively.

[Forwarding information]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a port table stored in the storage unit in the processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  With reference to FIG. 8, the storage unit 34 stores transfer information indicating the correspondence between the destination of the packet and the communication port 43. In the transfer information, a virtual port can be registered instead of the communication port 43.

  Specifically, the storage unit 34 uses, for example, the port table Ptbl including the correspondence between the “destination IP address” stored in the packet and the “logical port name” that is the logical name of the communication port 43 as the transfer information. save.

  The port table Ptbl is not limited to the configuration including the correspondence relationship between the “destination IP address” and the “logical port name”, but instead of the “destination IP address”, for example, “source IP address”, “ The configuration may include a correspondence relationship between “destination MAC (Media Access Control) address” or “source MAC address” and “logical port name”.

  Further, the port table Ptbl may be created by a user or automatically according to a predetermined protocol, for example.

  In the port table Ptbl, the “logical port name” is specifically the logical name of the virtual port that is the virtual communication port such as “sw1 / 1” that is the logical port name of the actual communication port 43. “Vp1” and “vp2”.

[Virtual port information]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual port table stored in the storage unit in the processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  With reference to FIG. 9, the storage unit 34 stores, for example, virtual port information indicating a correspondence relationship between the virtual port and the communication port 43.

  Specifically, the storage unit 34 stores a virtual port table Vtbl including a correspondence relationship between the “virtual logical port name” that is the logical name of the virtual port and the “logical port name” that is the logical name of the existing communication port 43. Save as virtual port information.

  The virtual port table Vtbl may be created, for example, by a user or automatically according to a predetermined protocol.

  The virtual port information indicates a correspondence relationship between one virtual port and one communication port 43, for example. Specifically, the virtual port table Vtbl includes a correspondence relationship between “vp1” and “sw1 / 1”, for example.

  Further, for example, the virtual port information indicates a correspondence relationship between one other virtual port and another plurality of communication ports 43. Specifically, the virtual port table Vtbl includes a correspondence relationship between “vp2” and “sw1 / 2, sw1 / 3”, for example.

[Management Department]
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7 again, the same port table Ptbl and virtual port table Vtbl are stored in both storage units 34A and 34B.

  For example, the management unit 35 manages the port table Ptbl and the virtual port table Vtbl stored in the storage units 34A and 34B.

  More specifically, the management unit 35 on one of the boards 10A and 10B in the packet relay apparatus 101 manages the port table Ptbl and the virtual port table Vtbl. Here, the management unit 35A in the substrate 10A manages the port table Ptbl and the virtual port table Vtbl. On the other hand, the management unit 35B suspends such management.

[Communication port]
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 again, for example, when the optical signal processing unit 41 in the communication port 43 receives an electrical signal including a packet from the switch unit 32 in the processing unit 13, the received electrical signal is converted into an optical signal. And output to the terminal 42.

  For example, when the optical signal processing unit 41 receives an optical signal including a packet from the corresponding terminal 42, the optical signal processing unit 41 converts the received optical signal into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal to the switch unit 32.

  For example, when receiving a stop command from the port control unit 12, the optical signal processing unit 41 stops the output of the optical signal to the terminal 42 and the reception of the optical signal from the terminal 42 according to the received stop command.

  For example, when receiving a start command from the port control unit 12, the optical signal processing unit 41 starts outputting an optical signal to the terminal 42 and receiving an optical signal from the terminal 42 in accordance with the received start command.

  For example, the optical signal processing units 41Aa, 41Ab, and 41Ac receive a start command from the port control unit 12, and output an optical signal to the terminal 42 and receive an optical signal from the terminal 42.

  Further, for example, the optical signal processing units 41Ad, 41Ba, 41Bb, 41Bc, and 41Bd receive a stop command from the port control unit 12, and output optical signals to the terminals 42 and receive optical signals from the terminals 42. It has stopped.

[Packet flow]
3 to 7 again, the packet relay apparatus 101 relays the packet. In the packet relay apparatus 101, an operation is performed in which both the boards 10A and 10B are simultaneously turned on.

  For example, the OLT 121 transmits a packet to one of the boards 10A and 10B in the packet relay apparatus 101.

  For example, when the board 10A or 10B receives a packet from the OLT 121, the board 10A or 10B transmits the packet to the opposite apparatus 151J or 151K according to the destination of the received packet.

  More specifically, for example, when the board 10A receives a packet from the OLT 121, the board 10A transmits the received packet to the optical branching unit 141, that is, the opposite apparatus 151J via the optical fiber 131Aa or 131Ad, or via the optical fiber 131Ab or 131Ac. The data is transmitted to the opposing device 151K, or transmitted to the optical branching unit 141, that is, the opposing device 151J via the transmission line 14 and the optical fiber 131Ba or 131Bd.

  For example, when the board 10B receives a packet from the OLT 121, the board 10B transmits the received packet to the optical branching unit 141, that is, the opposite apparatus 151J via the optical fiber 131Ba or 131Bd, or via the transmission line 14 or the optical fiber 131Aa or 131Ad. Is transmitted to the optical branching unit 141, that is, the opposing device 151J, or transmitted to the opposing device 151K via the transmission path 14 and the optical fiber 131Ab or 131Ac.

[Packet switch processing]
Referring to FIG. 7 again, for example, when receiving a packet from OLT 121, OLT-side IF unit 31A or 31B outputs the received packet to switch unit 32A or 32B, respectively.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of the switch unit in the processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 10, switch unit 32 includes a relay unit 51 and a virtual port processing unit 52. The virtual port processing unit 52 includes virtual ports 53S and 53T.

  Hereinafter, each of the virtual ports 53S and 53T is also referred to as a virtual port 53. In FIG. 10, two virtual ports 53 are representatively shown in the virtual port processing unit 52, but more or fewer virtual ports 53 may be provided.

  For example, the virtual logical port names of the virtual ports 53S and 53T are “vp1” and “vp2”, respectively.

  Hereinafter, the relay unit 51 and the virtual port processing unit 52 in the switch unit 32A are also referred to as a relay unit 51A and a virtual port processing unit 52A, respectively. The relay unit 51 and the virtual port processing unit 52 in the switch unit 32B are also referred to as a relay unit 51B and a virtual port processing unit 52B, respectively.

  Further, the virtual port processing unit 52 performs communication between the communication port 43Ab and the counter device communication port 152B, and between the communication port 43Ac and the counter device communication port 152C in accordance with, for example, LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) defined by IEEE 802.3ad. Assuming a situation where link aggregation operation is performed using the communication path of. Hereinafter, each of the communication ports 43Ab and 43Ac is also referred to as a LAG port 43.

  The packet relay apparatus 101 selects any one of the fixed LAG ports 43, and transmits an optical signal including the target packet from the operation port that is the selected communication port 43 to the opposite apparatus 151J via the optical branching unit 141. To do.

  Specifically, the switch unit 32 receives a target packet that is a packet to be relayed, selects a communication port 43 to be an output destination of the target packet based on the transfer information, and sends the target packet to the selected communication port 43. Output.

  More specifically, the relay unit 51 in the switch unit 32 receives, for example, a packet from the OLT-side IF unit 31 as a target packet, and acquires a destination IP address from the received target packet.

  Then, the relay unit 51 selects the communication port 43 to be the output destination of the target packet based on the acquired destination IP address and the contents of the port table Ptbl held by the storage unit 34, for example.

  For example, when the acquired destination IP address is “AAAA”, the relay unit 51 uses the logical port name corresponding to “AAAA” in the port table Ptbl shown in FIG. A communication port 43 indicated by a certain “sw1 / 1”, that is, a communication port 43Aa is selected.

  For example, the relay unit 51 outputs the target packet to the selected communication port 43Aa.

  Specifically, in the board 10A, the relay unit 51A in the switch unit 32A outputs the target packet to the communication port 43Aa, for example. More specifically, for example, the relay unit 51A outputs the target packet to the optical signal processing unit 41Aa in the communication port 43Aa.

  In the board 10B, the relay unit 51B in the switch unit 32B outputs, for example, the target packet to the other board 10 via the transmission path 14, specifically, to the communication port 43Aa in the board 10A. More specifically, the relay unit 51B outputs, for example, the target packet to the optical signal processing unit 41Aa in the communication port 43Aa via the transmission path 14.

  For example, when receiving the target packet from the relay unit 51A or 51B, the optical signal processing unit 41Aa transmits the received target packet to the opposite device 151J via the terminal 42Aa and the optical branching unit 141.

  In addition, when the destination of the target packet corresponds to the virtual port, the switch unit 32 outputs the target packet to the communication port 43 corresponding to the virtual port in the virtual port information.

  For example, when the acquired destination IP address is “BBBB”, the relay unit 51 uses the logical port name corresponding to “BBBB” in the port table Ptbl shown in FIG. A virtual port indicated by a certain “vp1”, that is, a virtual port 53S in the virtual port processing unit 52 is selected, and the target packet is output to the selected virtual port 53S.

  More specifically, in the board 10A, the relay unit 51A in the switch unit 32A outputs the target packet to, for example, the virtual port 53S in the virtual port processing unit 52A. In the board 10B, the relay unit 51B in the switch unit 32B outputs the target packet to, for example, the virtual port 53S in the virtual port processing unit 52B.

  Further, for example, when the acquired destination IP address is “CCCC”, the relay unit 51 has a logical port corresponding to “CCCC” in the port table Ptbl shown in FIG. The virtual port indicated by the name “vp2”, that is, the virtual port 53T in the virtual port processing unit 52 is selected, and the target packet is output to the selected virtual port 53T.

  More specifically, in substrate 10A, relay unit 51A in switch unit 32A outputs the target packet to virtual port 53T in virtual port processing unit 52A, for example. In the board 10B, the relay unit 51B in the switch unit 32B outputs the target packet to, for example, the virtual port 53T in the virtual port processing unit 52B.

  For example, when receiving the target packet from the relay unit 51, the virtual port processing unit 52 selects the communication port 43 to be the output destination of the target packet based on the contents of the virtual port table Vtbl held by the storage unit 34.

  Specifically, for example, when the virtual port processing unit 52 receives a target packet from the relay unit 51 in the virtual port 53S, based on the contents of the virtual port table Vtbl shown in FIG. Select one of these.

  More specifically, the virtual port processing unit 52 sets “sw1 /” as the “logical port name” corresponding to the “virtual logical port name” of the virtual port 53S, that is, “vp1”, based on the contents of the virtual port table Vtbl, for example. 1 ”is acquired. Then, for example, the virtual port processing unit 52 selects the communication port indicated by the acquired “sw1 / 1”, that is, the communication port 43Aa as the operation port.

  In the board 10A, the virtual port processing unit 52A in the switch unit 32A outputs, for example, the target packet to the selected communication port 43Aa. More specifically, the virtual port processing unit 52A outputs the target packet to the optical signal processing unit 41Aa in the communication port 43Aa, for example.

  In the board 10B, the virtual port processing unit 52B in the switch unit 32B outputs, for example, the target packet to the other board 10 via the transmission path 14, specifically, to the communication port 43Aa in the board 10A. More specifically, the virtual port processing unit 52B outputs the target packet to the optical signal processing unit 41Aa in the communication port 43Aa via the transmission path 14, for example.

  For example, when the optical signal processing unit 41Aa receives a target packet from the virtual port processing unit 52A or 52B, the optical signal processing unit 41Aa transmits an optical signal including the received target packet to the opposite device 151J via the optical branching unit 141.

  Further, for example, when receiving the target packet from the relay unit 51 at the virtual port 53T, the virtual port processing unit 52 uses the contents of the virtual port table Vtbl shown in FIG. Select one of them.

  More specifically, the virtual port processing unit 52 sets “sw1 /” as the “logical port name” corresponding to the “virtual logical port name” of the virtual port 53T, that is, “vp2”, based on the contents of the virtual port table Vtbl, for example. 2, sw1 / 3 ". Then, for example, since the number of communication ports 43 indicated by the acquired “sw1 / 2, sw1 / 3” is plural, the virtual port processing unit 52 indicates “sw1 / 2” and “sw1 / 3”, respectively. Recognizing that the link aggregation operation using the communication ports 43Ab and 43Ac is being performed, the communication port is selected using the following predetermined algorithm.

  That is, the virtual port processing unit 52 calculates a remainder when, for example, a numerical value based on the target packet is divided by the number of LAG ports 43, that is, 2. Here, the numerical value based on the target packet is the order in which the target packet is received from the OLT 121 or the sequence number stored in the target packet.

  For example, when the calculated remainder is zero, the virtual port processing unit 52 selects the communication port 43 indicated by the logical port name “sw1 / 2”, that is, the communication port 43Ab, and when the remainder is 1, The communication port 43 indicated by the logical port name “sw1 / 3”, that is, the communication port 43Ac is selected.

  In the board 10A, the virtual port processing unit 52A in the switch unit 32A outputs the target packet to the selected communication port 43Ab or 43Ac, for example. More specifically, the virtual port processing unit 52A outputs the target packet to the optical signal processing unit 41Ab in the communication port 43Ab or the optical signal processing unit 41Ac in the communication port 43Ac.

  In the board 10B, the virtual port processing unit 52B in the switch unit 32B outputs the target packet to the selected communication port 43Ab or 43Ac in the other board 10, specifically, the board 10A via the transmission line 14, for example. . More specifically, the virtual port processing unit 52B outputs the target packet to the optical signal processing unit 41Ab in the communication port 43Ab or the optical signal processing unit 41Ac in the communication port 43Ac via the transmission path 14.

  For example, when receiving the target packet from the virtual port processing unit 52A or 52B, the optical signal processing unit 41Ab transmits the received target packet to the counter device communication port 152B of the counter device 151K via the terminal 42Ab.

  For example, when receiving the target packet from the virtual port processing unit 52A or 52B, the optical signal processing unit 41Ac transmits the received target packet to the counter device communication port 152C of the counter device 151K via the terminal 42Ac.

[Monitoring of the state of the packet relay apparatus 101]
Referring to FIG. 4 again, the monitoring unit 11 monitors the state of the packet relay apparatus 101. Specifically, for example, the monitoring unit 11 acquires the state of the substrate 10 and monitors the states of the substrates 10A and 10B, respectively.

  For example, the monitoring unit 11 creates monitoring information indicating a monitoring result, and outputs the created monitoring information to the management unit 35A in the substrate 10A.

  More specifically, for example, the monitoring unit 11 links down the optical signal processing unit 41 corresponding to the currently used fixed LAG port 43, an abnormality in the optical signal processing unit 41, and the removal of the substrate 10 from the casing. When an abnormal operation such as separation or abnormality of the substrate 10 is detected, the monitoring information includes the content of the abnormal operation detected by the monitoring unit 11.

[Port switching processing]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a priority table created by the management unit in the packet relay apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 11, priority order table Atbl indicates “priority order” of “logical port name” of fixed LAG port 43, for example.

  For example, the management unit 35A creates the priority table Atbl based on the setting by the user at the timing when the power is turned on.

  For example, after storing the created priority order table Atbl in the storage units 34A and 34B, the management unit 35A stores “sw1 / 1” having “logical port name” with “priority order” “1” in the storage units 34A and 34A. In the virtual port table Vtbl stored in 34B, it is written in the “logical port name” column corresponding to “vp1”.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual port table rewritten by the management unit in the packet relay device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 12, management unit 35 changes the operation port to another fixed LAG port 43 based on the monitoring result by monitoring unit 11.

  More specifically, the management unit 35 performs port switching processing for changing the communication port 43 in the virtual port information to another communication port 43 based on the monitoring result by the monitoring unit 11. For example, in the port switching process, the management unit 35 changes the communication port 43 mounted on the board 10 different from the board 10 on which the communication port 43 before the change is mounted.

  Specifically, the management unit 35A stores, for example, when the monitoring result by the monitoring unit 11 indicates the link down of the optical signal processing unit 41 corresponding to the currently used fixed LAG port 43, that is, the optical signal processing unit 41Aa. Referring to the priority table Atbl stored in the unit 34A, “sw2 / 1”, which is “logical port name” with “2” as the “priority”, is acquired.

  Then, the management unit 35A, for example, uses the acquired “sw2 / 1” to set the “logical port name” column corresponding to “vp1” in the virtual port table Vtbl in the storage units 34A and 34B to “sw1 / 1”. Rewrite from “sw2 / 1” (see FIG. 12) to (see FIG. 9).

  For example, when receiving a packet whose destination IP address is “BBBB”, the packet relay apparatus 101 receives the packet based on the port table Ptbl shown in FIG. 8 and the rewritten virtual port table Vtbl shown in FIG. The transmitted packet is transmitted to the optical branching unit 141 via the communication port 43Ba in the board 10B.

  The port control unit 12 stops the optical output from the non-selected communication port 43 among the fixed LAG ports 43. More specifically, for example, the port control unit 12 performs control to stop the optical output of the change destination communication port 43 that is not selected before performing the port switching process.

  Further, for example, the port control unit 12 performs control to stop the optical output of the selected communication port 43 before the change after performing the port switching process. Further, the port control unit 12 starts optical output of the communication port 43 after the change of the communication port 43.

  Specifically, for example, the port control unit 12 monitors the rewriting of the “logical port name” column corresponding to “vp1” in the virtual port table Vtbl stored in the storage unit 34. For example, when the management unit 35A rewrites the “logical port name” field corresponding to “vp1” from “sw1 / 1” to “sw2 / 1”, the port control unit 12 performs the following processing.

  That is, for example, the port control unit 12 outputs a stop command to the optical signal processing unit 41Aa corresponding to the communication port 43Aa indicated by “sw1 / 1” before rewriting, and also indicates the communication indicated by “sw2 / 1” after rewriting. A start command is output to the optical signal processing unit 41Ba corresponding to the port 43Ba.

[Operation]
The packet relay apparatus 101 includes a computer, and an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU in the computer reads and executes a program including a part or all of each step of the following flowchart from a memory (not shown). The program of this apparatus can be installed from the outside. The program of this device is distributed in a state stored in a recording medium.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure of processing when the packet relay apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention detects an abnormal operation.

  Referring to FIG. 13, first, packet relay apparatus 101 waits until an abnormal operation is detected (NO in step S102).

  Next, for example, when the packet relay apparatus 101 detects a link down of the optical signal processing unit 41 corresponding to the currently used fixed LAG port 43 as an abnormal operation (YES in step S102), the priority shown in FIG. Based on the table Atbl, the corresponding “logical port name” in the virtual port table Vtbl is rewritten (step S104).

  Next, the packet relay apparatus 101 stops the optical output from the communication port 43 indicated by the “logical port name” before rewriting and starts the optical output from the communication port 43 indicated by the “logical port name” after rewriting. (Step S106).

  Next, the packet relay apparatus 101 waits until a new abnormal operation is detected (NO in step S102).

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart defining an operation procedure when the packet relay device according to the embodiment of the present invention performs a packet relay process.

  Referring to FIG. 14, first, packet relay apparatus 101 waits until receiving a target packet that is a packet to be relayed from OLT 121 (NO in step S108).

  Next, when the packet relay apparatus 101 receives the target packet from the OLT 121 (YES in step S108), the packet relay apparatus 101 performs the following processing.

  That is, when the “logical port name” corresponding to the “destination IP address” of the target packet in the port table Ptbl shown in FIG. 8 indicates a virtual port (YES in step S110), the packet relay apparatus 101 shown in FIG. Using the virtual port table Vtbl, the number of communication ports 43 indicated by the “logical port name” corresponding to the virtual port is confirmed.

  Next, when the number of confirmed communication ports 43 is singular (NO in step S114), the packet relay apparatus 101 selects the communication port 43 indicated by the “logical port name” corresponding to the virtual port (step S116). ).

  Next, the packet relay apparatus 101 outputs the target packet to the selected communication port 43 (step S120).

  Next, the packet relay apparatus 101 waits until a new target packet is received from the OLT 121 (NO in step S108).

  On the other hand, when there are a plurality of confirmed communication ports 43 (YES in step S114), the packet relay apparatus 101 determines a predetermined one of the plurality of communication ports 43 indicated by the “logical port name” corresponding to the virtual port. The communication port 43 is selected using the algorithm (step S118).

  Next, the packet relay apparatus 101 outputs the target packet to the selected communication port 43 (step S120).

  Further, when the “logical port name” corresponding to the “destination IP address” of the target packet indicates the existing communication port 43 in the port table Ptbl (NO in step S110), the packet relay apparatus 101 determines the “logical port name”. "Is selected (step S112).

  Next, the packet relay apparatus 101 outputs the target packet to the selected communication port 43 (step S120).

  Note that the packet relay apparatus 101 can independently execute the processes of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 as different interrupt processes.

  In the packet relay device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the communication port 43 is configured to transmit an optical signal to the opposite device 151. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The communication port 43 may be configured to transmit a signal other than light to the opposing device 151.

  Incidentally, for example, each of the network relay apparatuses 1 and 2 shown in Patent Document 1 includes six ports, and the six ports of each network relay apparatus are connected by six physical lines as a redundant configuration. In such a redundant configuration shown in Patent Document 1, the same number of ports are required in the network relay apparatuses 1 and 2.

  However, for example, since a port that terminates a physical line capable of transmitting information at high speed is often expensive, a technique for reducing the number of ports for a redundant configuration is required.

  On the other hand, in the packet relay apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of communication ports 43 transmit received packets to the outside. The storage unit 34 stores a port table Ptbl, which is transfer information indicating the correspondence between the packet destination and the communication port 43. The switch unit 32 receives the target packet that is a packet to be relayed, selects the communication port 43 that is the output destination of the target packet based on the port table Ptbl, and outputs the target packet to the selected communication port 43. A virtual port 53 can be registered in the port table Ptbl instead of the communication port 43. The storage unit 34 further stores a virtual port table Vtbl that is virtual port information indicating a correspondence relationship between the virtual port 53 and the communication port 43. When the destination of the target packet corresponds to the virtual port 53, the switch unit 32 outputs the target packet to the communication port 43 corresponding to the virtual port 53 in the virtual port table Vtbl. The monitoring unit 11 monitors the state of the packet relay device 101. Then, the management unit 35 performs port switching processing for changing the communication port 43 in the virtual port table Vtbl to another communication port 43 based on the monitoring result by the monitoring unit 11.

  With such a configuration, a plurality of communication ports 43 secured for a redundant configuration can be managed together as a virtual port 53, so that the processing related to the communication port 43 can be simplified. Then, for example, by providing a splitter or the like that joins the route from the plurality of secured communication ports 43 to one opposing device communication port 152 in the opposing device 151 that is the packet transmission destination device, the opposing device in the opposing device 151 The number of communication ports 152 can be reduced from the number of communication ports 43 in the packet relay device 151. Therefore, the number of communication ports for redundant configuration can be reduced.

  Further, in the packet relay device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the virtual port table Vtbl shows the correspondence between one virtual port 53 and one communication port 43.

  With such a configuration, in a redundant configuration using a plurality of communication ports 43, the plurality of communication ports 43 can be virtually handled as one port.

  Further, in the packet relay device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the virtual port table Vtbl further indicates the correspondence relationship between the other one virtual port 53 and the other plurality of communication ports 43.

  With such a configuration, the configuration for LAG that logically bundles the physical lines of the plurality of communication ports 43 can be used for the port switching process for the redundant configuration. In addition, since the port switching process for the redundant configuration and the normal LAG process can be operated with the same mechanism, both processes can coexist.

  In addition, the packet relay device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of boards 10 each having a set of a storage unit 34, a switch unit 32, and a communication port 43 mounted thereon. Then, in the port switching process, the management unit 35 changes the communication port 43 mounted on the board 10 different from the board 10 on which the communication port 43 before the change is mounted.

  With such a configuration, even when any of the storage unit 34, the switch unit 32, and the communication port 43 in a certain board 10 fails, the port switching process is performed and the packet is transmitted to the outside using the other board 10 Therefore, it is possible to realize redundancy in units of 10 substrates.

  In addition, the packet relay device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a transmission path 14 for transmitting a packet between the boards 10. Then, the switch unit 32 outputs the target packet to the communication port 43 in the other board 10 via the transmission path 14.

  With such a configuration, for example, even in a configuration in which a target packet is output to one board 10, the switch unit 32 in each board 10 passes to the communication port 43 in any other board 10 via the transmission path 14. Since the packet can be output, the port switching process to the communication port 43 in the other board 10 can be performed satisfactorily.

  In the packet relay device according to the embodiment of the present invention, communication port 43 transmits an optical signal including the received packet to the outside. Then, the port control unit 12 performs control to stop the optical output of the change destination communication port 43 before performing the port switching process.

  As described above, the configuration in which the optical output of the standby communication port 43 is stopped prevents the optical signal transmitted from the active communication port 43 from being affected by the optical output of the standby communication port 43. Can do.

  In the packet relay system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the packet relay device 101 includes a plurality of communication ports 43 that transmit optical signals. Each communication port 43 is connected to the same opposing device communication port 152 for receiving an optical signal in the opposing device 151 via the optical branching unit 141. The packet relay apparatus 101 selects any one of the communication ports 43, transmits an optical signal including a packet from the operation port that is the selected communication port 43 to the optical branching unit 141, and selects a non-selected communication port. The light output from 43 is stopped. Then, the packet relay apparatus 101 monitors its own state, changes the operation port to another communication port 43 based on the monitoring result, and starts optical output of the communication port 43 after the change.

  With such a configuration, a configuration in which the optical signals output from the plurality of communication ports 43 for the redundant configuration are combined in the optical branching unit 141 and transmitted to the same counter device communication port 152 in the counter device 151 is provided. The number of opposite device communication ports 152 in 151 can be reduced from the number of communication ports 43 in the packet relay device 101. Therefore, the number of communication ports 43 for redundant configuration can be reduced. In addition, an optical signal including a packet is transmitted from the operation port to the optical branching unit 141, and the optical output from the standby communication port 43 is stopped, so that the optical signal transmitted from the operation port is transmitted to the standby communication port 43. It can be prevented from being affected by the light output of.

  The above embodiment should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  The above description includes the following features.

[Appendix 1]
A packet relay device,
Multiple communication ports that send received packets to the outside,
A storage unit for storing transfer information indicating a correspondence relationship between a packet destination and the communication port;
A switch unit that receives a target packet that is a packet to be relayed, selects the communication port to be an output destination of the target packet based on the transfer information, and outputs the target packet to the selected communication port; Prepared,
In the transfer information, it is possible to register a virtual port instead of the communication port,
The storage unit further stores virtual port information indicating a correspondence relationship between the virtual port and the communication port,
When the destination of the target packet corresponds to the virtual port, the switch unit outputs the target packet to the communication port corresponding to the virtual port in the virtual port information;
The packet relay device further includes:
A monitoring unit for monitoring the state of the packet relay device;
A redundant switching unit that performs port switching processing for changing the communication port in the virtual port information to another communication port based on a monitoring result by the monitoring unit;
The communication port is an optical transceiver module conforming to the SFP + (Small Form-factor Pluggable +) standard, and transmits an optical signal including the packet.
The plurality of communication ports are connected via optical fibers to the same communication port for receiving an optical signal in another device via an optical fiber,
The packet relay device further includes:
A plurality of substrates each mounted with a set of the storage unit, the switch unit and the communication port;
The plurality of substrates are housed in a housing and detachable from the housing;
The redundancy switching unit is configured to switch the port when a link down or abnormality of the communication port corresponding to the virtual port, detachment of the substrate from the housing, or abnormality of the substrate is detected by the monitoring unit. A packet relay device that performs processing.

[Appendix 2]
A packet relay device;
With an optical branch,
The packet relay device includes a plurality of communication ports for transmitting optical signals,
Each of the communication ports is connected to the same communication port for receiving the optical signal in another device via the optical branching unit,
The packet relay device selects any one of the communication ports, transmits an optical signal including a packet from the operation port that is the selected communication port to the optical branching unit, and performs the unselected communication. Stop the optical output from the port,
The packet relay device monitors its own state, changes the operation port to another communication port based on a monitoring result, and starts optical output of the communication port after the change,
The communication port is an optical transceiver module according to the SFP + (Small Form-factor Pluggable +) standard,
Each of the communication ports is connected to the same communication port in the other device via an optical fiber via the optical branching unit,
The packet relay system, when detecting a link down or abnormality of the operation port, changes the operation port to another communication port and starts optical output of the communication port after the change.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Board | substrate 11 Monitoring part 12 Port control part 13 Processing part 14 Transmission path 31 OLT side IF part 32 Switch part 34 Memory | storage part 35 Management part (redundancy switching part)
41 Optical signal processing unit 42 Terminal 43 Communication port 51 Relay unit 52 Virtual port processing unit 53 Virtual port 101 Packet relay device 111 ONU
121 OLT
131 optical fiber 141 optical branching unit 151, 151J, 151K, 151L opposing device 152, 152A, 152B, 152C opposing device communication port 301 communication system 302 packet relay system

Claims (9)

A packet relay device,
Multiple communication ports that send received packets to the outside,
A storage unit for storing transfer information indicating a correspondence relationship between a packet destination and the communication port;
A switch unit that receives a target packet that is a packet to be relayed, selects the communication port to be an output destination of the target packet based on the transfer information, and outputs the target packet to the selected communication port; Prepared,
In the transfer information, it is possible to register a virtual port instead of the communication port,
The storage unit further stores virtual port information indicating a correspondence relationship between the virtual port and the communication port,
When the destination of the target packet corresponds to the virtual port, the switch unit outputs the target packet to the communication port corresponding to the virtual port in the virtual port information;
The packet relay device further includes:
A monitoring unit for monitoring the state of the packet relay device;
A packet relay apparatus comprising: a redundancy switching unit that performs a port switching process for changing the communication port in the virtual port information to another communication port based on a monitoring result by the monitoring unit.   The packet relay device according to claim 1, wherein the virtual port information indicates a correspondence relationship between one virtual port and one communication port.   The packet relay device according to claim 2, wherein the virtual port information further indicates a correspondence relationship between another one of the virtual ports and another plurality of the communication ports. The packet relay device further includes:
A plurality of substrates each mounted with a set of the storage unit, the switch unit and the communication port;
The redundancy switching unit performs the change to the communication port mounted on the board different from the board on which the communication port before the change is mounted in the port switching process. The packet relay device according to claim 1. The packet relay device further includes:
Comprising a transmission path for transmitting packets between the substrates;
The packet relay device according to claim 4, wherein the switch unit outputs the target packet to the communication port on another board via the transmission path. The communication port transmits an optical signal including the received packet to the outside,
The packet relay device further includes:
The packet relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a port control unit that performs control to stop optical output of the communication port that is a change destination before performing the port switching processing. A packet relay device;
With an optical branch,
The packet relay device includes a plurality of communication ports for transmitting optical signals,
Each of the communication ports is connected to the same communication port for receiving the optical signal in another device via the optical branching unit,
The packet relay device selects any one of the communication ports, transmits an optical signal including a packet from the operation port that is the selected communication port to the optical branching unit, and performs the unselected communication. Stop the optical output from the port,
The packet relay system, wherein the packet relay device monitors its own state, changes the operation port to another communication port based on a monitoring result, and starts optical output of the communication port after the change. A packet relay method in a packet relay device comprising a plurality of communication ports for transmitting received packets to the outside, and storing transfer information indicating a correspondence relationship between a packet destination and the communication port,
Receiving a target packet that is a packet to be relayed, selecting the communication port to be an output destination of the target packet based on the transfer information, and outputting the target packet to the selected communication port,
In the transfer information, it is possible to register a virtual port instead of the communication port,
The packet relay device further stores virtual port information indicating a correspondence relationship between the virtual port and the communication port;
In the step of outputting the target packet, when the destination of the target packet corresponds to the virtual port, the target packet is output to the communication port corresponding to the virtual port in the virtual port information;
The packet relay method further includes:
Monitoring the state of the packet relay device;
Performing a port switching process of changing the communication port in the virtual port information to another communication port based on a monitoring result. A packet relay method in a packet relay system comprising a packet relay device and an optical branching unit,
The packet relay device includes a plurality of communication ports for transmitting optical signals,
Each of the communication ports is connected to the same communication port for receiving the optical signal in another device via the optical branching unit,
The packet relay device selects any one of the communication ports, transmits an optical signal including a packet from the operation port that is the selected communication port to the optical branching unit, and performs the unselected communication. Stopping light output from the port;
The packet relay device including a step of monitoring its own state, changing the operation port to another communication port based on a monitoring result, and starting optical output of the communication port after the change. Method.

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